There’s no denying that a
pressure cooker
is the most versatile and useful kitchen essential, which can make everything easy from steaming to
baking
to pressure cooking. But wait, do you know that there are certain foods that you should never cook in a pressure cooker as it may spoil the taste and texture of the
food
and also harm the pressure cooker and may turn dangerous in certain cases.
Here are six things you should always avoid cooking in a pressure cooker.
Dairy products
Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish.
Fried foods
Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers. Pressure cookers are designed for cooking with moist heat, and attempting to fry food in them can be dangerous. The high pressure and steam can cause the hot oil to splatter, leading to burns and accidents. Thus, it is advised to avoid cooking foods like French fries, pakoras, or tempura in a pressure cooker.
Pasta and noodles
Delicate foods like pasta and noodles can easily get overcooked and turn mushy in a pressure cooker. These foods cook quickly on the stovetop, so using a pressure cooker for these foods may result in a soggy texture.
Quick cooking vegetables
Vegetables that cook quickly, such as leafy greens and tender vegetables are not suitable for pressure cooking. These vegetables can become overcooked and lose their colours and nutrients when cooked at high pressure and temperature.
Cakes and bakes
Baking cakes, cookies, or any other baked goods in a pressure cooker is not recommended. Pressure cookers are not designed for baking, and the texture, taste and consistency of the baked delights often turn out to be different from their usual texture.
Eggs in the shell
Cooking eggs in their shells inside a pressure cooker can lead to messy results. The pressure inside the cooker may cause the eggs to burst or crack, creating a mess and may also lead to harmful conditions.
