Under Pressure

I have been really really busy and perhaps a touch lazy so I haven't posted much. I also confess I did not get very far on my 365 project. I don't have much to show for the last few months that I didn't already talk about on Gretchen or the twins' blog except for my newest kitchen gadget: an electric pressure cooker! I have always struggled to make pinto beans the way my parents made them. I tried soaking, I tried slow cooking, I tried not soaking, etc but they never turned out right. I have always been afraid of pressure cookers but that is how my mother made them. With three little ones running around, I was even more scared to have a pressure cooker steaming away on the stove. And then, I saw an electric model that seemed to be able to do everything I needed (browning, sauteing, etc). I won't reveal the brand because I'm still testing it out but it is a respected maker of kitchen appliances. I made the beans and even Steve was impressed. They turned out perfectly creamy and soft with lots of flavor. I laughed when Steve said "you could get these with rice as a meal" which is what I did for most of my childhood! Last night I made Pesto Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots. It was pretty good on its own but when you consider it only took eleven minutes to cook, it was awesome!