Pressure Cooking Thursdays Debut!

A few months ago, when I launched the new Spring look of the blog, I introduced a monthly event I wanted to host. Many of you know I swear by the pressure cooker and use it 80% of the time in preparing meals, Cuban or not.

Well, on a serious and focused mission to re-introduce the art of pressure cooking to the masses, especially the younger under 50, I am talking about it and all its benefits, at least once a month! The event called, Pressure Cooking Thursdays, will be every 3rd Thursday of each month (though I recognize today is the last in September–oops)

How it works!

I will identify one ingredient to be used in the pressure cooker! Now, I’m not talking about an onion, a green pepper or a small herb. I’m talking about something substantive! Something you would traditionally cook stove top or in the oven! The point is to use a pressure cooker, vintage or new! If you’ve never used one, this is the time to learn! I’m here to help you get over your inexperience or even fear; cuz yes, I know some people are afraid of using them! I am the pressure cooking guru! Email me with questions, concerns, ideas, etc..

So, finally, I’m kicking off the 1st event! If you participate, you have 3 weeks to play around and come up with a dish! Place the badge below on your blog and tell your blogging pals about so they can participate, too!

On the the ingredient! We’ll start with something easy:

DRY BEANS!

Most people love beans, right! Those that don’t stay away from them because they can cause gas. Well, if you cook beans in a pressure cooker, you eliminate that  god-awful problem!

The challenge:

1. Use beans.
2. Any bean.
3. Come up with a dish you prepared in a pressure cooker. It can be a recipe you’re following, but something original is always great!
   
4. You have 3 weeks to work on it, so until  Oct. 15th, 2009 12 am EST.
   
5. Submit your recipe with full cooking method, making it obvious that you used a pressure cooker!
6. Blog about it and link back here to the challenge!

Once I’ve received all submissions, I will choose one recipe based on originality, picture and innovative use of the pressure cooker! Got it? Make sense?

Entries will be accepted through Oct. 15th! Blog about it! Brag to your readers that you are pressure cooking! Kick some ass in your kitchen! Show them what you got! Share your experience, recipe and pictures! They’ll be soo jealous! Then, on Oct. 20th, I will announce the winner and a new challenge! Winner will get something! This 1st contest will come with a gift of a RICE COOKER! Yes, a rice cooker ! For without rice, beans just wouldn’t be the same! I’m looking at different models now, but either way, winner gets a rice cooker!  I’m working through my stash of cooking gadgets and toys I’ve received! I’ll offer something different each month!

Here’s the temporary badge.  I’m redesigning it and will have it ready for the next challenge! Feel free to put it on your blog if you decide to participate. Please link back to me here! I think it’s the nice thing to do! Thanks!

Excited? Can’t wait to get cooking in a pressure cooker!?! Well, me too! Go for it, play with it, and mostly importantly be safe if you’ve not used one before. Follow the instructions and read all product manuals if you are unsure.

IN OTHER NEWS! The winner of the Whynatte Latte Coffee Energy drink contest is lucky number 10, making Elle at Uncle Bob’s Trailers, the winner! Elle, I’ll email you to get your mailing address! number 1, Sue-Ellis Palacio! My apologies for mixing up winners! Darn random generator! You will most definitely enjoy your case of Whyanatte!