Beyond Rice And Dal: Five Surprising Dishes You Can Make In A Pressure Cooker

Cooking in a pressure cooker is fast, efficient, and surprisingly flavourful. The sealed steam traps heat and moisture, helping food cook evenly while preserving nutrients. Here are five creative dishes you can easily make using just your cooker — no fancy gadgets required.

Cheesecake

You don’t need an oven to bake a smooth, rich cheesecake. Your pressure cooker can do the job perfectly. Because it retains moisture, the cake doesn’t crack or dry out. Just pour a little water at the base of the cooker, place a small rack inside, and set a springform pan over it.

This method, called a “Bain-Marie,” gently steams the cheesecake to perfection. In about 30 to 40 minutes, you’ll have a soft, creamy dessert ready to chill and serve.

Eggs

A cooker isn’t just for boiling eggs, it can also make the soft, hotel-style poached version in minutes. All you need are silicone moulds or small ramekins.

Crack the eggs into them, place them in the cooker over a little water, and steam for a few minutes. The whites set beautifully while the yolks stay soft. It’s quicker, cleaner, and more consistent than stovetop poaching.

Risotto

This Italian rice dish is famous for its silky, creamy texture but also for the time it takes, constant stirring over low heat. The pressure cooker makes it effortless.

Add arborio rice, stock, and seasonings into the cooker, close the lid, and let it steam. The result is the same luscious, creamy risotto you’d get from a restaurant, but made in a fraction of the time and without all that stirring.

Homemade Yogurt

You don’t need a modern electric yogurt maker to enjoy thick, homemade curd. Your regular cooker works just fine. Pour warm milk into an earthen pot, mix in a bit of starter curd, and cover it with foil.

Add a small amount of water to the cooker base so the pot sits securely, then place the covered pot inside and close the lid without the whistle. Keep the flame medium for about 15 minutes, then let it rest. Once cooled, you’ll have smooth, set yogurt ready to serve.

Ghee

Making ghee on the stove can be time-consuming, but the cooker simplifies the process. Take fresh butter, melt it in the cooker, and add half a cup of water, this prevents burning. Close the lid and wait for two whistles. The result is pure, aromatic homemade ghee, golden and ready to use in minutes.

Safety and Maintenance Tips

Before experimenting, always check your cooker’s manual. Each brand and model has specific safety instructions. When releasing steam, follow the right method, quick release or natural release, depending on the recipe. Never force the lid open until all pressure has dropped.

Clean the cooker thoroughly after every use, including the rubber gasket and whistle. Regular cleaning prevents blockages and ensures even pressure build-up. A well-maintained cooker not only lasts longer but also keeps cooking safe.

The pressure cooker is a small device with big possibilities. With a little creativity, it can replace multiple kitchen appliances – from an oven to a yogurt maker. What started as a simple tool for rice and dal is now proving itself as a compact powerhouse for modern cooking. Sometimes, the secret to innovation is already sitting on your kitchen shelf, quietly whistling.