How to Make Comfort Food with a Pressure Cooker

My allergies have been bothering me (all this pollen I guess). :/ and that always makes me feel run down and in dire need of some of mom’s home cooked comfort food. But alas, mom is on vacation (and I was not invited! the horror!). So I dropped by her house, rummaged through her recipes and cabinets, borrowed her pressure cooker and headed home.

Honestly, I think I might have made the soup almost as good as she does and on the first try too. Or else my head is so stopped up my taste-buds aren’t operating correctly. Which the 2nd possibility is most likely in this particular situation.

Now for those of you who are suffering from colds, allergies, etc. and need some good comfort food, grab a pressure cooker and try out my mom’s Potato and Cheese Soup:

Mom’s Potato and Cheese Soup

Ingredients:
4 large peeled potatoes, cut into 1” cubes
4 small onions, chopped
1 1/2 cups of water
4 cups of milk
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. chopped parsley

Directions:
Put potatoes, onions, salt and water into pressure cooker. Close the cooker. Bring to full pressure on high heat. Reduce your heat and cook for 3 minutes Remove cooker from heat. Allow to cool naturally, till there is no pressure inside cooker Open cooker. Mix the mixture smooth (I use a cake mixer). Return soup to pressure cooker. Add milk and pepper. Place cooker on medium heat and bring to boil, stirring constantly. Add cheese and stir until it melts. Serve immediately and garnish with parsley.



If you try this comfort food recipe I guarantee that you will love it! It’s easy and with all that cheese it’s gotta be bad for you! Yumm!

Snowy Day Cooking

Last week I was snowed in with nothing to but cook.  So, I plan on sharing some recipes that I played around with while stuck in the apartment that I’m sure you will love to try:

I have had my Presto deep fryer for 10 years now and I still love it.  My mother gave it to me when she received another one for her birthday, so I really don’t know how old it is.  I use it at least twice a week and my roommates love it.  The one that I have is the Frydaddy.  From what I can tell they have not changed this style in years.  It only uses 4 cups of oil to fry.  I still have the scoop that came with it originally and with Presto making them with a non-stick surface on the inside and out it is so easy to clean.  And since neither me or my roommates enjoy cleaning, this is a bonus!

I was looking at the different kinds that are being made now and you would be surprised at the different sizes that are being made available.  You can find them to fit any need from two people or eight generous servings. I have listed some recipes that you might find interesting and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Banana Deep Fried Ingredients
4 Tbs honey
6 Tbs water
1/2 cup flour
1 banana quartered
4 cups cooking oil
2 tsp double action baking powder

Banana Deep Fried Method
Put your deep fryer on to heat up. While it is heating prepare the bananas. First thing to do is roll the banana pieces in flour and then mix the baking soda with water to make a paste and roll the banana pieces in it. Put the bananas in the deep fryer a couple at a time and deep fry them for 4 minutes or until they are golden brown. Drain them well. Arrange each Banana Deep Fried on a dessert plate and pour 1 tablespoon of honey on each banana piece and serve with ice cream.

Deep Fried Twinkies Ingredients
1 Tbs oil
1 cup milk
6 twinkies
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbs vinegar
flour for dusting
6 Popsicle sticks
4 cups vegetable oil
1 tsp baking powder

Deep Fried Twinkies Method
Chill or freeze Twinkies for several hours or overnight. Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in deep fryer to about 375 degrees. In a bowl mix together milk, vinegar and oil. In another bowl blend flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk wet ingredients into dry and continue mixing until smooth. Refrigerate while oil heats. Push stick into Twinkie lengthwise leaving about 2 inches to use as a handle then dust with flour and dip into the batter. Rotate Twinkie until batter covers entire cake. Place carefully in hot oil. The Twinkie will float so hold it under with a utensil to ensure even browning. It should turn golden in 3 to 4 minutes. Depending on the size of your deep fryer you might be able to fry only one at a time two at the most. Remove Twinkie to paper towel and let drain. Remove stick and allow the Deep Fried Twinkies to sit for about 5 minutes before serving.