Re: Cooks Essentials TSV 6 Qt Pressure Cooker

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

@NYNANCY wrote:
Where can I purchase a rack suitable for use in this pressure cooker?

I always check Amazon as they usually have the largest selection and lots of reviews. I have also picked some up at stores like Homegoods or BBB but Amazon is always my first stop.

momsue · ‎09-26-2010

I made the Swiss Steak from the little recipe book and it was so good!!! I need some other ideas though!

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

@momsue wrote:
I made the Swiss Steak from the little recipe book and it was so good!!! I need some other ideas though!

Welcome momsue and so glad to hear the Swiss Steak came out great! I know a lot of people really enjoy Meredith Lawrence's pressure cooker book(s) and I am a big fan of www.missvickie.com. She has great tips and troubleshooting help should you need it in addition to nice recipes!

Tigriss · ‎03-12-2010

@Lacey1 wrote:
I always add a scant teaspoon of oil to rice/grains to prevent foaming. Instead of water, you can add broth. You can also season the rice with bouillon cubes or whatever seasonings you like. Use the 'natural' cool down method-just let it sit until the pressure releases.

If you wash the rice to remove the excess starch, that won't be a problem. Just fill with water to cover rice and swirl to rub the rice together and dump the cloudy warer. Keep rinsing until the water is clear.

Racer1 · ‎12-06-2015

I bought the 4 Qt. Cooks Essentials digital pressure cooker and am attempting to use it to make dinner as we speak. I also purchased the "Delicious Under Pressure" cookbook of Meredith's. I chose a recipe for a Chipoltle Pot Roast with Spicy Cannellini Beans to make tonight. The recipe instructs you to use a "brown" setting and my pressure cooker doesn't have one. Now what? I have never used a pressure cooker before. I am smart enough to follow instructions but if the pressure cooker doesn't match up with the recipe instructions, then what? When I watched the presentation, Meredith and David presented the pressure cooker followed by the cookbook and made it seem like they were absolutely compatible. I'm not even sure all the recipes in this cookbook even fit in this size pressure cooker. I am disappointed and frustrated. The presentation I viewed was on November 29th.

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

@Racer1 welcome to the Boards!

I just took a look at the PC that you purchased and was surprised to see it does not have a sear/brown function. My immediate suggestion is that you may have to do this step on your stovetop and then transfer it to the PC following the directions from there.

I haven't had a chance to watch the video as of yet but will do so today and I'll see if I can pick up what they say in regards to browning if anything.

I hope you enjoy your cooker. I love pressure cooking and it is very easy and a great way to make a good meal in very little time.

Here is a link to a great site that has many tips, technique and recipes:

http://www.hippressurecooking.com/

eta: I just watched the online presentation and it doesn't appear to address the brown/sear function nor did it go through the different features that are available so I'm afraid I don't have much more to add.

I would think if you did brown the meat before you added it to the PC you should be fine to follow the recipe from that point.

CountryMusicGal · ‎03-09-2010

I, too bought the 4-qt. CE pressure cooker. I have never owned one before. I am confused about how to use it. Does the little pressure guage just sit there, it doesn't snap in or anything? I feel the instructions are minimal and I don't know anyone who owns one. Then, when cooking is finished, does it release pressure by itself, or do you have to do something manually before opening the lid? Not many recipes included, either, in the booklet that came with it. Off to the library, I guess! Any comments would be appreciated!

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

@CountryMusicGal wrote:
I, too bought the 4-qt. CE pressure cooker. I have never owned one before. I am confused about how to use it. Does the little pressure guage just sit there, it doesn't snap in or anything? I feel the instructions are minimal and I don't know anyone who owns one. Then, when cooking is finished, does it release pressure by itself, or do you have to do something manually before opening the lid? Not many recipes included, either, in the booklet that came with it. Off to the library, I guess! Any comments would be appreciated!

Hi CountryMusicGal, I wish they showed a picture of the top of the pressure gauge so I could know for sure but on most pressure cookers when the gauge dial is in the middle it is pressurizing. When you want to release the pressure you then move the indicator either left or right to release the pressure (make sure you do this with a heavy towel around your hand so you don't get burned). It should say in each recipe whether to let the pressure go down to normal on its own or to perform a quick release.

I would take a look at YouTube as they should be able to provide some visuals that will probably better illustrate what I am saying (I would say you could try other QVC PC videos but I think YouTube may be a better option).

Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have as I was quite worried about using mine when I first bought one but now I just love it and the food that it prepares!