Pressure Cooker Risotto With Vegetables Du Jour Food

PRESSURE COOKER PORCINI RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil over high heat in a 2 1/2-quart or larger stovetop pressure cooker, or in an electric pressure cooker using the sauté function. Add the onions, and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in the rice, taking care to coat it with the oil. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
• Stir in the wine. Cook over high heat until the rice has absorbed the wine, about 30 seconds. Stir in 3 cups of the broth and the porcini, taking care to scrape up any rice that might be sticking to the bottom of the cooker.
• Lock the lid in place. Over high heat, bring to high pressure. Reduce the heat just enough to maintain high pressure, and cook for 4 minutes. Turn off the heat. Quick-release the pressure by setting the cooker under cold running water. Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow the steam to escape. If using an electric cooker, cook at high pressure for 4 minutes. Manually release the pressure.
• Set the cooker over medium-high heat or turn on the sauté function, and stir vigorously. The risotto will look fairly soupy at this point. Boil while stirring every minute or so, until the mixture thickens and the rice is tender but still chewy, 1 to 4 minutes. Stir in the peas when the rice is almost done. (if the mixture becomes dry before the rice is done, stir in the extra 1/2 cup of broth. The finished risotto should be slightly runny; it will continue to thicken as it sits on the plate.)
• Turn off the heat. Stir in the Parmesan, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with a little parsley. Pass extra Parmesan at the table.

PRESSURE COOKER RISOTTO WITH VEGETABLES DU JOUR

Steps:

• Heat the oil in the cooker. Cook the leeks over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add the rice, stirring to coat with the oil. Add 3 1/2 cups of the stock (careful with the sputtering oil), the saffron, and the salt.
• Lock the lid in place. Over high heat, bring to high pressure. Lower the heat just enough to maintain high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce the pressure with a quick-release method. Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow any excess steam to escape.
• Stir in the vegetables, parsley and Parmesan (if using). If the risotto isn't creamy, stir in a bit more stock. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the rice achieves the desired consistency (it should be tender but chewy) and the vegetables are throughly heated. Stir in lemon juice or vinegar (if using) and pepper. Serve immediately in shallow soup bowls.

PRESSURE-COOKER RISOTTO WITH CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• On a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker, select the saute setting; adjust for medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp. butter and oil. Add mushrooms and onion; cook and stir until tender, 6-8 minutes. Add rice; cook and stir until the rice is coated, 2-3 minutes., Stir in wine and lemon juice; cook and stir until liquid is absorbed. Press cancel. Pour in broth. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on low for 4 minutes. Quick-release pressure. Stir until combined; continue stirring until creamy., Stir in the remaining ingredients and the remaining 2 Tbsp. butter. Select saute setting and adjust for low heat; heat through. Serve immediately.

RISOTTO IN A PRESSURE COOKER

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in the cooker. Saute the onion until soft but not brown, about 2 minute Stir in the rice, making sure to coat it thoroughly with the fat. Stir in 3-1/2 c of the stock (watch for sputtering oil).
• Lock the lid in place and over high heat bring to hig pressure. Adjust the heat to maintain high pressure and cook for 6 minute Reduce pressure with a quick-release method (see below). Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow any excess steam to escape.
• Taste the rice, and if it's not sufficiently cooked, add a bit more stock as you stir. Cook over medium heat until the additional liquid has been absorbed and the rice is desired consistency, another minute or two. When the rice is ready, stir in the Gruyere and Parmesan, add salt to taste and serve immediately.
• NOTES: Adding some sort of fat is critical when cooking rice and grains so that the liquid/starch doesn't foam and plug up the steam vents. I'd also keep a close eye on it toward the end as I imagine that if you use less water the rice might dry out in the last minute or so. Also, Cooking Under Pressure is a nice reference book with a number of modern/gourmet- type recipes such as this one.
• For better taste and texture, it's essential to use an Italian short-grain white rice such as Arborio, Carnaroli, or Maratelli. Traditionally the rice is not rinsed before cooking since the water would wash away starches that contribute to the velvety sauce enveloping each grain. The perfect risotto should be slightly soupy and properly chewy, with the rice offering just a pleasant resistance to the bite. For this reason, the pressure is always quick-released and the risotto must be served as soon as it is finished -- Leftover risotto can also be shaped into pancakes and warmed or pan-fried in a little butter, or heated in the microwave.
• Using the basic formula of 3-1/2 to 4 c of liquid to 1-1/2 c Arborio rice you can create your own recipes and also use traditional recipes.
• Although classic risottos usually contain wine, the above recipe(s) are flavorful without it.