You can’t test foods for doneness while pressure cooking, so here’s a handy table that shows how long to cooks foods in a pressure cooker. The cooking times in the table begin when the pressure cooker reaches high pressure. Always start with the shortest cooking time; you can always continue cooking under pressure for an additional couple minutes until the desired texture is reached.

You can cook virtually anything in a pressure cooker — from meats and main courses to rice, potatoes, and vegetables of every description, to dessert. Better yet, pressure cooking allows you to prepare foods up to 70 percent faster, on average, than conventional cooking methods do, which means you save energy in addition to your precious time.

Pressure cookers can save you time and money, helping you prepare delicious meals that retain nutritional values often lost in other cooking methods. Pressure cooking does require some adjustments, however. Follow these tips for the best pressure-cooking results: Brown meats, poultry, and even some vegetables — like chopped onions, peppers, or carrots — first and then deglaze the pot for more intense flavor.

The suggested cooking times in the following list begin when the pressure cooker reaches high pressure. Always bring the pressure cooker up to high pressure over high heat, then lower the heat to stabilize the pressure depending on the type of stove-top pressure cooker you’re using. Your electric pressure cooker with automatically do this for you.

Your pressure cooker is an ideal place to cook dried beans and legumes. Always start with the shortest pressure cooker cooking time in this table for a particular bean; you can always continue cooking beans under pressure for an additional couple minutes until the desired texture is reached. The bean cooking times in this table begin when the pressure cooker reaches high pressure.

Cacciatore means “hunter’s style” and refers to how Italian hunters used to prepare small game. Today, cacciatore dishes are usually chicken-based. Serving chicken cacciatore with white rice allows the rice to absorb the delicious sauce. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes under high pressure Yield: 4 servings 4-pound chicken 1 large onion 2 cloves garlic 1 small pickled cherry or jalapeño pepper (optional) 8 ounces white mushrooms 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/3 cup dry white wine 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon minced parsley 2 cups cooked white rice Cut the skin and excess fat from the chicken.

With this pressure cooker adaptation of minestrone soup, you’ll never have to resort to canned soups again! This version of minestrone soup cooks in only 10 minutes. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes under high pressure Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1 medium onion 3 cloves garlic 3 to 4 medium carrots 1 bunch celery celery 1 large zucchini 1 large potato 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) basil-, oregano-, and garlic-flavored diced tomatoes 1 cup string beans 1 head cabbage 1 tablespoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 8 cups water 1 can (19 ounces) red kidney beans 1 1/2 cups ditalini (small, tube-shaped pasta), cooked al dente 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese Salt and pepper to taste Chop the onion.

Key limes are native to the Florida Keys (hence the name). Although it’s called Key lime cheesecake, you can make this cheesecake with regular green limes, with equally delicious results! Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes under high pressure Yield: 6 servings Approx. 16 squares graham crackers 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened 2 eggs 2 Key or Persian limes 2 1/2 cups water Lightly butter a 7-inch springform pan.

Ratatouille is a hearty vegetable stew from the Provence region of France, and you'll find many variations. This recipe for ratatouille uses a pressure cooker to cook up the brightly colored and flavorful vegetables. Serve it as a main course with salad, cheese, and crusty bread, or serve it as a side dish with grilled meats or fish.