Pressure Cooking: I want in!

IMUSA 5-qt. Electric Pressure Cooker

Pressure cooking is all the rage these days. Some of the benefits of pressure cooking include faster cooking times--up to 70% faster, retention of moisture, vitamins, and nutrients, intensified flavor, saving energy and more. Loyalties to this popular cook's tool seem to be divided between two camps: stovetop pressure cooking and electric pressure cooking (unfortunately, since I have never used either, I can't speak to the advantages of one or the other).

So, when shopping for a pressure cooker, what do you look for? I would like to try the electronic pressure cooker. Since space is a concern in my kitchen, I would prefer to have multifunctional unit--perhaps one that also functions as a slow cooker, warmer, steamer, etc. I have been checking out one unit, IMUSA 5-qt. Electric Pressure Cooker, but still haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I would love your feedback...are you into pressure cooking? Why or why not. Feel free to share your experience with pressure cooking, your favorite unit, and any recipes you like.
 

Cook's Tools - Product Reviews

I AM A GADGET GEEK and I'm stoked about my latest round of little kitchen helpers. These tools help make life in the kitchen a little easier and more interesting.

Sharper Image 4-In-1 Salad Spinner

Beautiful, sturdy, multifunctional - The Sharper Image 4-In-1 Salad Spinner Mandolin Slicer is an amazing tool. Does a great job of removing the water from salad greens and the ample bowl with rubber top to store and serve your salad in is very handy. Love the green (happens to be my favorite color). A couple of negatives: the blades for the slicer and shredder could be a little sharper (but they still do an adequate job) and the food handle is a little awkward and wobbly--hard to steady the food item being sliced. Overall, I like this tool a lot because it is sturdy, the spinner part is great and it does make the work a little easier. I'm giving it 4 hearts. ♥♥♥♥

Williams-Sonoma Peach Pitter

Peach season is in full effect so peaches are plentiful and busting with flavor. Why not take advantage of the bounty and incorporate fresh peaches into your summer recipes? The Williams-Sonoma Peach Pitter is really fun and easy to use and it comes with a cover for safe storage. Just position the circle on the cutter over the tip of the peach (or nectarine) and bear down in one swift motion. It cuts the peach into 12 perfect slices that are separated from the pit. I've already gotten a lot of use out of this tool (made Peach Tomato Pasta, Peach Balsamic Dip & Salad Dressing and more). I used a small brush to clean all of the crevices and the blades. One reviewer said she also used it for apples. I LOVE this awesome gadget. It deserves 5 hearts! ♥♥♥♥♥

Kuhn Rikon Kitchen Shears

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new Kuhn Kitchen Shears w/Herb Stripper! Scissors are extremely sharp--can be used to cut just about anything, the herb stripper is very cool and I love the protective storage cover. It's got a nice weight and feel to it. Easy to clean. This tool also gets 5 hearts. ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Chef'n PalmPeeler

Peel potatoes and veggies easier with the handy Chef'n PalmPeeler. It slides over one finger and fits securely in the palm of your hand. The blade is very sharp, works really well and it has a little tip on the end you can use to pluck out eyes or brown spots on veggies. The only downside that I can see is if you have really small fingers, you might not get a great fit. I can't say this little gadget is easier to use than a traditional peeler but it is fun and efficient--worthy of 4 hearts. ♥♥♥♥

The Better Zester

 Product Review: Microplane Rasp Grater

I love using fresh citrus zest in my recipes. I won't even tell you how I was trying to get the zest before I had an epiphany: to buy a zester!  I went to WalMart and purchased a hand grater and was thoroughly disappointed when I got it home and started using it.  I whined for a few weeks about wanting a real zester.  Finally, my son put me out of my misery and bought me the Microplane Rasp Grater from Williams-Sonoma for Christmas.

I was a little worried about the citrus zest being too fine but this is the perfect zester.  The blades are very sharp so grating is virtually effortless.  It also works really well for hard cheeses, chocolate and more and comes with a protective storage cover to minimize injuries while stored in a drawer or cupboard.  Because of the sharp blades and the curved design on the edges, the underside can be a little tricky to clean.  I use a small brush to clean the surface and under the curved edges. This handy, dandy little gadget makes zesting a snap and at a cost of only $14.95, it's a must-have in the kitchen.  I give it 5 stars! *****