Jamie Oliver Pressure Cooker July 2008
All of the pressure, none of the stress with this new take on pressure cooking.
Pressure cookers are no longer a thing of the past, as this innovative update from Jamie Oliver and Tefal demonstrates. We gave this device a First Look test to see if it has what it takes to bring pressure cooking back into modern kitchens.
£99
Tefal says its 'vitamin basket' helps to lock the goodness into vegetables
A modern take on a retro cooking method, Tefal is bringing the pressure cooker back into our kitchens. An endorsement and included recipe booklet from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver may tempt those hesitant to try this once-common means for making tender stews and casseroles.
We carried out some initial testing on a just-launched model to gather some first impressions.
A glance at the instruction manual may put some users off, with ominous warnings about burns and serious damage. A lengthy list of important safeguards doesn’t feel like the ideal start to a relationship with a new cooking appliance.
Intelligent timer
However, don’t be put off, as the pressure cooker is extremely simple to use. Two main buttons seal the device tight and re-open it once the cooking is completed.
Best of all, a detachable “intelligent” timer tells you when the cooker has reached necessary pressure, then begins its manually-set countdown. It can take up to 10 minutes for the cooker to reach the required pressure, depending on your stove.
Following an included recipe resulted in a meltingly tender lamb casserole, which was ready in just half an hour. Using a standard cooking pot, the same dish could take two hours or more. A recipe for quick-cooked butternut squash was also a success, though no faster than using a normal pan.
Vitamins
A special sieve-like attachment called the “vitamin basket” lets you use the pressure cooker as a steamer, and Tefal is keen to emphasise its benefits for locking vitamins and nutrients into vegetables as they cook. The cooker can even roast a small chicken in just 25 minutes.
It's also easy to clean, and with specially-designed fold-down handles for neat storage it takes up no more room than a large cooking pan.
The price may be a little steep, but for anyone keen on hot-pots, casseroles and tenuous celebrity endorsements this is an effective update of an old classic.
Pros: easy to store and simple to use, great results when stewing meat.
Cons: an expensive buy if only likely to be used occasionally.
