Heaven on Earth

Heaven on Earth

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Beef Stroganoff and a new toy.


I have been considering buying a pressure cooker for a while now.  My mom has had the same one for over 40 years and uses it all the time.  I must admit, however, they scared me.  Until now...

I have been reading blog posts about pressure cooker recipes, most recently Barbara's and Frieda's blogs.  I finally went out and bought myself one and am I ever glad I did!  I love it.  In fact, I loved it so much I bought a second one so I could have one at both places.  I think I'll buy one for my mother.  After 40 years, I think she needs a new one.
I started with Barbara's recipe and adapted it. I used a large chuck roast.  I cut it into 3-inch chunks and browned them.  Then I added 1-lb. of sliced button mushrooms and 2 cups of chopped yellow onions to the pot and sauteed them until they were translucent.  I de-glazed the fond with 11-oz. of beef broth, and added 1/3 cup of ketchup, 2 Tab. of Worcestershire sauce, 1 bay leaf, garlic salt, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper.  I had to cook my meat for 30 minutes, but I did use a different cut of meat than Barbara used. 

When the meat was cooked, I thickened it with a flour/water slurry.  I portioned out a few cups of meat and sauce and added about 1/4 cup of sour cream to it and served it over egg noodles.  There was enough for about 10 portions of the stroganoff, which meant enough for a few servings of leftovers.  I portioned the rest of the meat into 3 quart-size freezer bags and froze them for quick meals later on.  I think I'll make beef stew this week.

I love the non-stick surface and the brown, simmer, saute, and keep warm settings, in addition to the pressure aspect.  The meat was melt-in-your-mouth-tender and flavorful; in 30 minutes instead of 7 hours.  

Go buy one for yourself and give yourself and early Christmas present!!!!!!   I can't believe I ever lived without this appliance, and I don't say that lightly.  I don't have many appliances.  I believe in simplicity and dual-purpose tools.  But I'm so glad I have this appliance in my arsenal/kitchen.

Disclaimer:  This is not a paid advertisement.  It is my own opinion/endorsement.

Linked to Hearth 'n Soul.
Linked to Friday Potluck..

15 comments:

  1. Oh-your Beef Stroganoff looks delicious!! It's one of my most favorite dinners....always tasty!!! Right now I make mine in a Crock Pot. Pressure cookers have always scared me, too. Growing up our next door neighbor used one all the time -- but my Mother passed along her fear to me! LOL!!

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  2. I've never owned a pressure cooker, either, for pretty much the same reason. They scare me. I'll have to look into it more. Your stroganoff looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Makes me want to go buy some more beef. Great additions.

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  4. First of all, Beef stroganoff is my husband's favorite dish! I must admit I always cheat and use Lawry's seasoning packet(like his mother did), but maybe I can grow up and use your recipe. I'm sure he'd love it! I(unlike others) never seem to have luck with meat being tender in the crock pot, so maybe this would bring me better results! With the time saved, I probably won't need the crock pot:) You(and Barbara)have talked me into it:)

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  5. Bonnie

    We've had the same pressure cooker as you bought for about six months. We love it, too. Try cooking a whole chicken witth carrots, celery, onions, etc. The chicken comes out absolutely falling off the bone and you get a great broth.

    For your friends who are afraid of pressure cookers, they should know that this cooker has a thermostatic control and four different safety features - I don't worry about it at all.

    Enjoy

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  6. Isn't this the coolest thing ever??? I'm so happy that you enjoy it! The stroganoff looks fabulous!

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  7. You've made a believer out of me. When we get back to Lake Lure I am going to buy one. This new model looks perfectly safe and your beef stroganoff looks delicious.

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  8. LOL Bonnie, that certainly would be a VERY early christmas present! My mother cooks in her Cocote as she calls it, since she lived for a time in France. It certainly does make cooking quicker! I adore beef stroganoff and yours looks divine! Thanks so much for sharing on the hearth and soul hop! All the best, Alex

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  9. I have a pressure cooker but it is huge and I use it to can with. I need to check into this. Thanks for the info and the recipe looks yummy.

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  10. Just stopping by from HearthNSoul. i've debated using my pressure cooker to cook with (normally I just use it to can) seeing posts like yours gives me more courage to try it out. While I'm here I wanted to invite you to my Iron Chef Challenge which starts tomorrow and the themed ingredient is canned tomatoes. Link up a recipe and you'll have a chance to win a prize. Hope you can join in the fun!!!

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  11. ok. since I trust you, i may actually go buy one of these...i have the same fear of pressure cookers. ill let you know how it goes. Thanks!

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  12. I have the same pressure cooker. I love it so much! After having the old fashioned kind, (which still works btw), having an electric one scared me at first....good thing my sister bought hers first and showed me how to use it. It's the exact same concept, only this one gets plugged in instead of put on the stove. I have had mine for over two years now, and use it so much that I've purchased a spare rubber gasket for the lid just in case mine stretched out too much. I didn't want to be without my p.c. for too long after all! Just be sure to keep it clean, & store it with the lid upside down to prevent mold from forming. After washing by hand, I soak the bowl in warm water for an hour or overnight in case of strong odors, which it will pick up from cooking in it. Don't forget to empty and clean the little clear plastic thing in the back that picks up the condensation. I clean the hole in the lid with a pipe cleaner every now and then so it doesn't get clogged. Sounds like a lot of work but it's really not. I love making brown Jasmine rice in it. Takes 209-614-4859-50 minutes on the stove but just 12-15 minutes in the cuisinart p.c. The best kitchen appliance I ever bought! No I do not work for Cuisinart either lol. I just love food that takes all day to cook in less time and with better flavor.

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  13. I have a Cuisinart electric pressure cooker. After using the Browning mode, then setting the cook time, the unit shuts off as soon as it reaches pressure. It never cooks. What am I doing wrong. Help!

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    1. Kinny, Are you taking the unit out of browning mode and resetting it to either high or low pressure before setting the cooking time? If so, and you unit is shutting off, it's defective. Good luck!

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