How To Use The Practika Plus Pressure Cooker

by Sassy

Sassy here, with a question you might
be asking yourself right about now:




"How do I use my new super-deluxe, bright and shiny Practika Plus Pressure Cooker?







What follows is a basic explanation for using the Magefesa Practika Plus Pressure Cooker.

But before we begin, you must review the safety instructions for your cooker. Your pressure cooker box was placed into a larger box for shipping. The instructions manual should have been placed in that outer box.

If it is missing for some reason, then you can download the Practika Plus instructions here.

Please feel free to ask questions for further clarification.

Thanks. :O)

Sassy
*****
Let's take a basic recipe so you understand how your new Practika Plus cooker works.


Pressure Cooker Buckwheat

1 1/2 cups water
1 cup buckwheat
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add the water to the cooker. Bring to a simmer. Add the remaining ingredients to the cooker. Lock the lid into place and over high heat bring to high pressure. Lower the heat just enough to maintain this pressure and cook for 3 minutes. Turn off heat and allow pressure to come down naturally for 7 minutes. Quick release and carefully remove the lid.





"STOP! What the heck does all of this jargon mean?"

Great question. ;O)

Let's break it down so you can read most of the pressure cooker recipes you come across.

Firstly, review your instruction manual so you understand the technical information about how your cooker works. That is something EVERYONE must do before you even attempt to use your new cooker.

So if you haven't done so yet, please take the time to get to know your cooker and how it works, technically.

Next, take a peek at these photos and general instructions so you have a visual and an idea of how your pressure cooker works.



Now, back to the recipe. :O)

Get your ingredients together and ready to use. In this case, add the water to your cooker, bring to a simmer, then add remaining ingredients.

Lock the lid into place - This means you will lock the lid into place according to the instructions. You may have to apply pressure to the opposite end of the lid (opposite of the handle), especially with new cookers.

Over high heat bring to high pressure - Since you have read your instruction manual and reviewed the photos from the link above, you now know what it means when your cooker has come to high pressure.

Since this recipe calls for you to reach high pressure, you will set the black safety valve to the number II position before you begin cooking.

Next, you are looking for two things. Firstly, the red button (screw) will rise, but it will NOT rise above the lid, so watch this carefully, especially the first couple times you use it as you are getting to know how your cooker works.

This red button popping up indicates there is now pressure in your cooker at which point you will be unable to remove the lid (safety precaution).

You will also begin to see a steady stream of steam coming from the black safety valve button.

Lower the heat just enough to maintain this pressure and cook for 3 minutes. - Your goal is to keep the steady stream of steam coming out of the safety valve.

You also want to be sure the red button stays up during the cook time, but this is usually not a challenge because once it is up, you usually have to completely remove the cooker from the heat before it will come down.

• If you have a gas stove top, the heat is very responsive. So simply bring your flame to low or medium-low to maintain the high pressure.



• If you have an electric stove top, then you may have to remove your cooker from the direct heat as you wait for the heat of the burner to come down to low or medium-low. As you get to know your cooker, you will understand how to play with the heat of electric stoves in order to regulate the temperature correctly.

In either case, when your cooker has reached high pressure, set the timer for 3 minutes.

Turn off heat and allow pressure to come down naturally for 7 minutes. - Turn off heat and allow cooker to rest for 7 minutes. If you are using an electric stove, remove the cooker from the heat source.

Please note, whenever you see a recipe that calls for "natural pressure release" or "allow pressure to come down naturally", etc., this means you are letting the cooker to sit without touching it while you wait for the pressure to come down on its own. This usually takes 10 minutes, but can take longer depending on the amount of pressure in the pot.

Quick release and carefully remove the lid. - Since this recipe calls for a quick release at the end, this means you are NOT supposed to wait for the pressure to come down entirely on its own. You will let it do its thing for a bit (the 7 minutes), and then you will carefully bring your cooker to your sink. Set the cooker in the sink, and run cold water over the lid until the pressure comes completely down (there is usually an audible release of pressure).

You will note the red pressure indicator button has gone down completely into its little resting place.

Carefully remove the lid - be aware of the steam.

Stir. Your buckwheat is ready to eat.

* If at this point your buckwheat is cooked, yet there is still liquid in the pot, you can carefully drain the liquid.

** If your buckwheat is a little undercooked, you can replace the lid and let it steam in the residual heat for a while, or you can always bring it back to high pressure and cook for another minute or so.

Most pressure cooker recipes you come across are timed perfectly, so this is usually not a concern.

If at any point in the cooking process your cooker emits a loud noise of steam release, your pressure is too high. Either lower your gas flame, or remove your cooker from your electric heat source until the pressure comes down to normal levels.

Hope this little primer has helped you. Please share any questions or comments.

Happy (pressure) cooking! :O)






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"Just wanted to tell you that I finally got brave enough to try the cooker—lol! I cooked split pea soup and it was outstanding! It only took 6 minutes to cook once I had my veggies chopped that went in it. I am sold on the cooker!"

-- Nancy Hart, Tyler, Texas