10 Things to Cook with a Pressure Cooker : Your Ultimate Guide

Cooking has come a long way. Gone are the days when preparing Kenyan classics like githeri or goat meat stew meant hours of standing over a hot stove. With advancements in technology, the humble pressure cooker has evolved into an electric appliance, capable of preparing a wide range of dishes quickly and effortlessly. Whether you’re a busy professional or a home cook looking to save time, an electric pressure cooker is a must-have in your kitchen.

Traditionally, pressure cookers were used to boil beans, githeri, or tough cuts of meat. Today, the electric pressure cooker is revolutionizing meal prep. It steams, sautés, bakes, and even makes yogurt! Let’s explore the top 10 Kenyan meals you can whip up with your electric pressure cooker.

1. Githeri (Boiled Maize and Beans)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of dry maize
• 2 cups of dry beans (Njahi, Rosecoco, or yellow beans)
• 6 cups of water
• Salt to taste

Time & Temperature:

• High-pressure setting for 40 minutes

Method:

1. Soak beans overnight for better results.
2. Add maize, beans, and water to the pressure cooker.
3. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes.
4. Add salt after cooking and serve hot.

2. Nyama Choma Stew (Grilled Meat Stew)

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of goat or beef (pre-grilled or smoked)
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups of water
• Salt and spices to taste

Time & Temperature:

• High-pressure setting for 30 minutes

Method:

1. Sauté onions in the pressure cooker until translucent.
2. Add the grilled meat, tomatoes, water, and spices.
3. Cook on high pressure until the meat is tender.

3. Matoke (Green Bananas)

Ingredients:

• 8-10 green bananas, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup of coconut milk
• Salt and spices to taste

Time & Temperature:

• Medium pressure for 15 minutes

Method:

1. Sauté onions and tomatoes in the cooker.
2. Add bananas, coconut milk, and spices.
3. Cook until soft, then mash lightly before serving.

4. Pilau (Spiced Rice)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of basmati rice
• 400g of beef or chicken, cubed
• 2 onions, sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 cups of water
• Pilau masala and salt to taste

Time & Temperature:

• Medium pressure for 20 minutes

Method:

1. Sauté onions, garlic, and meat in the cooker.
2. Add rice, water, pilau masala, and salt.
3. Cook on medium pressure until rice is fluffy.

5. Mukimo (Mashed Potatoes with Greens and Maize)

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup of boiled maize
• 1 bunch of pumpkin or spinach leaves
• Salt to taste

Time & Temperature:

• High pressure for 20 minutes

Method:

1. Add potatoes and maize to the cooker with a little water.
2. Cook until soft, then add greens and mash everything together.

6. Chapati (Using the Dough Proving Function)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• A pinch of salt

Time & Temperature:

• Dough proving function for 30 minutes

Method:

1. Knead the dough using the ingredients above.
2. Use the proving function to allow the dough to rise.
3. Roll and fry the chapatis in a pan.

7. Sukuma Wiki (Collard Greens)

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of sukuma wiki, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• Salt to taste

Time & Temperature:

• Sauté mode for 10 minutes

Method:

1. Use the sauté mode to fry onions and tomatoes.
2. Add sukuma wiki and salt, cooking until tender.

8. Ugali (Cornmeal Porridge)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of maize flour
• 4 cups of water

Time & Temperature:

• High-pressure steam setting for 10 minutes

Method:

1. Boil water in the pressure cooker.
2. Gradually add maize flour while stirring continuously.
3. Steam for 10 minutes and serve hot.

9. Kienyeji Chicken Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 whole kienyeji chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 onions, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups of water
• Salt and spices to taste

Time & Temperature:

• High-pressure setting for 45 minutes

Method:

1. Sauté onions and tomatoes.
2. Add chicken, water, and spices.
3. Cook until the chicken is tender.

10. Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ cup of milk
• ½ cup of vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

Time & Temperature:

• Bake function for 45 minutes at 160°C

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients into a smooth batter.
2. Pour the batter into a greased, pressure cooker-safe baking tin.
3. Use the bake function to cook until a toothpick comes out clean.

Personal Thoughts

The electric pressure cooker is a lifesaver for Kenyan homes, combining speed and convenience. From traditional dishes like githeri to surprising options like cakes, the versatility is unmatched. It’s particularly useful for time-intensive meals, saving hours in the kitchen. If you’re looking to simplify your cooking, an electric pressure cooker is the ultimate investment.

How to Choose an Electric Pressure Cooker in Kenya

FAQs

Can I cook ugali in a pressure cooker?

Yes, you can use the high-pressure steam setting to prepare ugali quickly and evenly.

Is an electric pressure cooker safe to use?

Modern electric pressure cookers come with safety features like automatic pressure release, making them very safe.

Can I bake a cake in a pressure cooker?

Absolutely! Use the bake function and a pressure cooker-safe baking tin for the best results.

What size of pressure cooker is ideal for a Kenyan family?

A 6-liter cooker is perfect for most families, as it can handle large portions of githeri, stew, or pilau.

Do I need to soak beans before cooking?

Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and makes them easier to digest, though it’s not strictly necessary.

Can I use a pressure cooker for frying?

Yes, many electric pressure cookers have a sauté mode for light frying or browning ingredients.