Bella 6 Litre Pressure Cooker
INTRODUCTION
You may already be familiar with using a similar product, but do please take the time to read these instructions – they have been written to ensure you get the very best from your purchase. Safety is Important To ensure your safety and the safety of others, please ensure you read the Product Safety and Electrical Safety information before you operate this product. Please pay particular attention to any warnings and cautions contained within these instructions. Keep these instructions in a safe place for future reference. What can you expect from the Bella Pressure Cooker? This fantastic unit is one pot cooking and it saves time by cooking up to 70% faster than conventional cooking. At the touch of a button you can create delicious meals in a fraction of the time than on the stove top or in a slow cooker. The pre-programmed settings mean that you simply select a function and away you go, you don’t have to worry about pressure levels as the unit does it all for you. Instead of using lots of pots and pans, all the preparation is carried out in one pot, you can brown meat and caramalise vegetables, it’s not only easier but saves on washing up! Due to our policy of continuous improvement, the actual product may differ slightly from the one illustrated in this booklet.
PRODUCT SAFETY
Read this manual thoroughly before first use, even if you are familiar with this type of product. The safety precautions enclosed herein reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and injury when correctly adhered to. Keep the manual in a safe place for future reference. If applicable, pass these instructions on to the next owner of the appliance. Always follow basic safety precautions and accident prevention measures when using an electrical appliance, including the following:
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING YOUR APPLIANCE.
- Ensure the unit is used on a stable, level and heat-resistant surface out of the reach of children. If necessary place a chopping board or heat resistant mat underneath the Pressure Cooker during use.
- Always attach the connector end of the power cord into the appliance before inserting the plug into the wall socket.
- Do not touch the hot surfaces of the Pressure Cooker, use the handles only. Use oven gloves or a cloth when opening the lid or handling the inner cooking pot as steam will escape.
- This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience or knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
- Do not operate the appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Take it to a qualified service technician for investigation.
- Do not let the cord hang over the edge of the table or counter.
- Do not use this Pressure Cooker on or near a hot plate. Do not position it under hanging kitchen cabinets as steam from the pressure release may cause damage.
- Always check the silicone sealing ring is correctly positioned before use.
- Before placing the removable cooking pot into the unit, ensure the pot base and the internal heating plate are clean and free of any food debris.
- Do not place food or liquid directly into the base of the unit. Only the removable cooking pot is designed to contain food or liquid.
- Never obstruct the pressure release valve.
- Always check the pressure release valve to ensure it is not clogged before use.
- NEVER ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE LID WHEN THE UNIT IS UNDER PRESSURE.
- Do not open the unit until the pressure has been released. If the lid is difficult to rotate do not force it as the unit is still under pressure and it can be hazardous if forced.
- See the instructions on how to remove the lid on page 9.
- Never operate the Pressure Cooker without food or liquid in the removable cooking pot. Do not fill the pot over 4/5 full. When cooking foods that expand or foam such as dried vegetables, legumes, beans and grains do not fill the pot over ½ full. If overfilling occurs it may block the pressure release valve and cause a build-up of pressure.
- This Pressure Cooker cooks under pressure, improper use may result in scalding. Follow the “Using your Pressure Cooker” instructions on page 8 and make sure the lid is closed properly before operating.
- Be aware that certain foods can foam, froth and splutter which can block the pressure release valve, these foods include apple sauce, cranberries, pearl barley oatmeal and other cereals, noodles, pasta and rhubarb. Extra care should be taken when cooking anything containing these.
- Do not touch the pressure release valve when in use. Only turn to release the pressure after the unit has finished cooking.
- Ensure there is sufficient water in the removable cooking pot when steaming; it should reach the minimum 1/5 mark at least.
- Do not use the Pressure Cooker for Deep Frying.
- Do not use metal utensils as they will scratch the premium non-stick coating on the removable cooking pot. Use heat resistant plastic utensils or use a wooden spoon.
- Do not move the appliance when in use.
- Always keep your hands and face away from the pressure release valve, when releasing the pressure.
- Use extreme caution when removing the lid after cooking. Always tilt the lid away from you, so that any steam does not come into contact with your face.
- To protect against electric shock, do not immerse the Pressure Cooker, base unit, power cord or plug into water or any other liquid.
- Unplug from the mains socket using dry hands when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
- Do not use the appliance for other than its intended use, this is for HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
- Read these instructions thoroughly before using this appliance or connecting it to the mains supply.
- A 13 amp BS1362 ASTA approved fuse must be fitted.
- This appliance must be earthed.
- There are no user-serviceable parts inside this appliance.
- Always refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
- The mains lead of this product is not replaceable by the user. If the mains lead is damaged, do not use until the appliance has been inspected and approved by a qualified electrician.
- Do not allow this product to be exposed to rain or moisture during use or storage.
- Before switching on, make sure that the voltage of your electricity supply is the same as that indicated on the product rating plate. Connecting it to any other power source may cause damage.
- This product may be fitted with a non-rewireable plug. If it is necessary to change the fuse in the plug, the fuse cover must be refitted. If the fuse cover becomes lost or damaged, the plug must not be used until a suitable replacement is obtained. If the plug has to be changed because it is not suitable for your socket, or due to damage, it should be cut off and a replacement fitted, following the wiring instructions shown.
- The old plug must be disposed of safely because inserting it into a 13 amp socket could cause an electrical hazard.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
- The wires in the power cable of this product are coloured in accordance with the following code:
- Blue = Neutral, Brown = Live, Green/Yellow = Earth
- If the markings on the terminals of your plug do not correspond to the colours of the wires in the power cable, proceed as follows:
- The wire which is coloured Blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked N or coloured Black.
- The wire which is coloured Brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked L or coloured Red.
- The wire which is coloured Green/Yellow must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the earth symbol ( ) or coloured Green
Features
- Lid
- Lid Handle
- Pressure Release Valve
- Floating Safety Valve
- Inner Aluminum Plate with Silicone Washer and Metal Peg
- Clear Silicone Sealing Ring
- Removable Cooking Pot
- Base Handles
- Condensation Collector
- Base Unit
- Control Panel
- Heating Plate (inside)
- Power Cord
- Measuring Cup
- Rice Spoon
- Steaming Rack
- Floating Valve with Sealing Ring
- Pressure Release Valve Cover
- Centre Post
- LED Display
- Increase/Decrease time button
- Delay Timer
- Warm/Cancel
- Sauté/Browning
- Pressure Cook/Slow Cook
- Soup/Stew
- Meat/Chicken
- Rice/Risotto/Steam
Introduction to Pressure Cooking
Discover the secrets of pressure cooking with this wonderful pressure cooker that will help you cook faster, healthier and tastier meals with unbelievable speed and ease. This pressure cooker offers 11 cooking settings with the touch of a button. Slow cook all day long or whip up a quick delicious meal, this pressure cooker is the perfect sous-chef. No more tough cuts of meat that take hours to cook, only delicious succulent meat with the nutrients and flavours locked in.
Before First Use
- Remove all labels and tags from the product. Carefully unpack your pressure cooker; remove all packaging materials from the parts and accessories.
- Remove the lid by turning the handle clockwise to the UNLOCK position and lifting the lid off the unit.
- Wash the cooking pot and all accessories that will come into contact with food in hot soapy water with a sponge or dishcloth. DO NOT use a scouring pad or any abrasive materials as this could damage the product. Rinse the cooking pot, accessories and lid thoroughly and dry.
- Avoid leaving the lid fully immersed in water as it will take a long time to drain and dry.
- Attach the condensation collector by sliding it into place
- Ensure that the well dried cooking pot is sitting flat in the base unit with proper contact.
- Never lift the pressure cooker using the lid handle, always use base handles.
NOTE: DO NOT IMMERSE THE MAIN COOKING UNIT IN WATER!
Using Your Pressure Cooker
- Cooking under pressure raises the temperature of the liquid and steam inside to well above boiling point and results in food being cooked up to 70% faster. This method of cooking retains more vitamins and minerals and enhances natural flavours. It also means that less energy is used because cook times are so quick saving you both time and money.
- NOTE: Place the base on a dry, level, heat resistant surface, away from the edge of the work surface.
- Do not use the appliance on the floor or under hanging wall cabinets. Small amounts of steam will escape from the pressure release valve while heating and sometimes during the cooking cycle. This is perfectly normal.
- Place the dry and clean cooking pot into the base unit and ensure that it is seated properly on the heating plate.
- Check that silicone sealing ring is securely placed around the aluminum plate and the aluminum plate is attached to the housing lid with the metal peg facing outwards. If the plate is not correctly fitted the lid will not close properly and the unit will not be able to build up pressure, so ensure it all assembles correctly
- If you are sautéing or browning food first before cooking, add some oil or butter to the cooking pot and select either option make sure you do this with the lid OFF. When you have finished browning press the cancel option.
- Place the remaining ingredients to be cooked in the cooking pot and add liquid according to your recipe. Make sure that amount of food and liquid combined reaches the minimum mark on the inside of the cooking pot, but never more than the 4/5 mark on the cooking pot as the food needs space to boil and bubble When cooking food that expands such as rice, dried beans, grains and legumes, do not fill more than the 3/5 mark on the cooking pot.
- Secure the lid to the appliance. Place the lid on the appliance in the “UNLOCK” position, then turn the lid anti-clockwise to the “LOCK” position Ensure that the lid fits tightly, you will hear a click once correctly in place.
- Once the lid is closed securely, attach the power cord to the base of the unit then plug the cord into power socket. Use the CONTROL PANEL to choose the appropriate food type and adjust the default cooking time using the +/- button to suit the recipe that you are cooking.
- Set the pressure release valve to the PRESSURE setting as shown
- The pressure cooker will take a few minutes to build up pressure, during this time the LED panel will circle round. Once the required pressure is reached the time will become fixed and begin to countdown. The unit is now cooking under pressure.
- The LED panel may circle around during the cooking time, do not be alarmed the unit is simply maintaining pressure.
- During initial use, you may notice a slight odour due to the burning off of manufacturing residue. This is completely normal, it does not affect the food being cooked and will disappear after a few uses.
NOTE: If the silicone sealing ring is cracked or broken do NOT use it in the pressure cooker. Contact Customer Services and replace with a new sealing ring and assemble on aluminum inner plate
The Delay Function
- Before selecting the cooking function press the DELAY TIMER button to delay the start of the cooking time. The delay timer can be adjusted up to a maximum delay time of 2 hours. Continue to press the button until the desired time delay is reached. The amount of time until the unit begins cooking will be displayed on the screen.
- Once the delay time has been selected use the CONTROL PANEL to choose the desired cooking setting (i.e. rice, soup, chicken etc) and adjust the cooking time using the +/- button. It will flash then automatically switch to the delay time. The delay time will start to count down and cooking will begin once the delay time has elapsed.
- N.B Do not leave perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, cheese and dairy products at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
- Please note that once the cooking time has counted down, the time may not be adjusted. If more or less cooking time is required. The cooking process must be cancelled and the timing must be reset to the required/desired time.
- During set up and while cooking, the WARM/CANCEL button can be pressed to cancel cooking at any time.
Warm/Cancel Functions
Once the cooking process is complete, the Pressure Cooker will beep and move automatically to the WARM function this is shown by a “bb” on the LED display. This function is used to keep cooked food warm up to 24 hours, however for maximum flavour the recommended hold time for food is no longer than 6 hours. This function is also to stop or cancel the current function.
NOTE: It is not recommended to use the WARM function for extended periods when cooking fish or chicken dishes.
To Remove the Lid
When the pressure cooking cycle has finished, the unit automatically switches to WARM. At this point you may choose to release the pressure in two ways. The floating pressure safety valve will not go down until pressure is released and you will not be able to open the lid.
- Natural Pressure Release – This is recommended for anything with large amounts of liquid e.g. soups and stocks it will prevent the liquid inside from boiling over and blocking the pressure release valve. Following pressure cooking, allow the unit to remain on the WARM function. The pressure will begin to drop inside this can take from 12 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the amount of liquid inside. The lid can only be removed with the pressure has gone down.
- Quick Pressure Release – Following pressure cooking, the cooker will beep, this indicates that the cooking time has finished. Press the Cancel Button to stop the WARM function and turn the Pressure Release Valve to the “Pressure Release” position using an oven mitt (see Fig 6). Hot Steam will be released. DO NOT put your hands or face near the unit when turning the valve. The lid will only open once all the pressure has been released. Turn the lid clockwise and unlock. When removing the lid, tilt the lid away from you, this way the steam is directed away from you to avoid being scalded by the escaping steam. Use oven mitts when removing the inner cooking pot. Only use non-stick utensils to serve from the cooking pot as any hard utensils made from stainless steel or similar materials could damage the non-stick surface of the inner cooking pot.
One Touch Digital Functions
For your convenience the pressure cooker has 11 pre-set options with default cook times. Based on your recipe you can choose any one of these settings Sauté, Browning, Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Soup, Stew, Meat, Chicken, Rice, Risotto/Steam and Warm. Every button has 2 settings and a corresponding pair of lights next to it. To select a setting simply press the button and the corresponding light will indicate the selected setting You can adjust the cook time by pressing the + or – buttons. When the time has been selected the LED will flash until the unit builds up pressure. When the pressure is at the correct level inside the cooking time till start to countdown.
Sauté
This is great for caramelizing vegetables which adds more flavour to your dishes, simply place a little oil or butter in the base of the cooking pot and add your onions, carrots etc. Cooking will soften them and add a delicious flavour, you can also warm spices to release their flavour. This setting is also perfect to reduce and thicken any remaining liquid at the end of cooking time as there is no evaporation during pressure cooking so you need to add less liquid. Sometimes excess liquid may need thickening you can either add a cornflour and water mixture or simply bubble it for 10 minutes to reduce the liquid.
Browning
As meat will not brown during the pressure cooking process it is recommended to brown meat before so that this not only tastes better but the finished dish will look better. By browning meat, such as lamb, it will reduce the amount of fat present in the final meal and will also add a richer flavour. Use this setting for browning meat, chicken or game. Ensure you cut them into even sized pieces so they cook evenly. Add oil or butter to the base of the pot and sear the meat. If you have a lot of meat you may have to brown in batches this will maintain a high heat and ensure the meat is browned rather than stewed.
Pressure Cook
This setting is for general pressure cooking. Anything can be cooked on this setting that isn’t included in one of the one touch digital options. Just adjust the time according to your recipe.
Slow Cook
This is for long slow cooking up to 12 hours. It is NOT cooked under pressure. This is ideal if you need to be out the house all day and want to eat as soon as you come home. Use this setting as you would a slow cooker, so any recipes suitable for a slow cooker would be good for this setting. Remember this is low and slow, so cheap cuts of meat are better. Save your premium cuts for super fast cooking using a pressure setting.
Soup
Ideal for soups and stocks, just ensure that you do not overfill the cooking pot and make sure you use the NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE when removing the lid for safety following the instructions detailed on page 9.
Stew
This is great for Meat Ragu, Chilli Con Carne, Casseroles and even pie fillings like Steak and Ale.
Meat
This is great for larger pieces of meat, such a lamb shanks, pork shoulder, ribs, brisket, gammon etc. Brown them first using the browning option then simply select this setting and adjust your time to suit your recipe
Chicken
This setting is great for cooking a whole chicken for a delicious pot roast, then pop it under a pre-heated grill to crisp up the skin if you prefer it golden. You can also cook chicken legs, thighs, drumsticks and fillets.
Rice
Cook perfect fluffy rice on this setting. You can add spices or herbs during cooking and add salt if required. Also a drizzle of oil helps to reduce the foam (see Hints and Tips for cooking guidelines).
Risotto/Steam
Make delicious creamy risotto on this setting in a fraction of the time without the need to keep stirring. Simply sauté the grains of rice in some butter or oil until they turn opaque then add the liquid. To steam simply add sufficient water to the cooking pot to come to the 1/5 level on measuring scale inside the cooking pot. Place the steam rack into the pot, it will fit inside the pot on the ridge above the water Add the food to be steamed on top of the rack cutting vegetables into even pieces and place the lid on top of the unit and turn the pressure release value to the pressure setting. Select the steam function and adjust the time accordingly. If you wish to steam larger items such as puddings, you will need to place a trivet in the bottom of the cooker for the pudding bowl to sit on.
Warm
The unit automatically switches to keep warm as soon as the cooking has finished. This is great if not everybody is eating at the same time. This can be cancelled at any point by pressing the button again to cancel the function. This setting can also be used to keep food warm that has NOT been cooked in the pressure cooker. It can be used as a food warmer to keep already cooked food hot. This is especially good if you are having a party and need to keep a big pot of Chilli Con Carne hot for your guests. Using this function it is not recommended to keep food warm for more than 6 hours as this will affect the taste and texture of the food.
Function | Default Cooking Time |
Sauté | Stay ON (30 min.) |
Browning | Stay ON (30 min.) |
Pressure Cook | 30 min (Max 99 min.) |
Slow Cook | 4 h (Max 12 hrs.) |
Soup | 20 min. |
Stew | 30 min. |
Meat | 60 min. |
Chicken | 45 min. |
Rice | 10 min. |
Risotto/Steam | 25 min. |
Warm | Stay ON |
Cooking Times
Cooking Rice
White rice (Basmati, Long Grain) takes 3 minutes to cook and uses the fully absorption method. The rice will be slightly sticker than rice cooked on the stove top. Use the marking on the pot as a guide i.e 2, 4, 6 cups. Fill the water in the pot FIRST to the level required and then add the corresponding cup of rice.
Level on cooking pot | Cups of rice | Oil tbsp. quantity | Yield (cups) when cooked |
2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
4 | 4 | 1 | 12 |
6 | 6 | 2 | 18 |
8 | 8 | 2 | 24 |
Set the time to 3 minutes and use the NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE METHOD. During this time the rice will absorb the steam and will be dry not wet. Cooking wholegrain/brown rice is very different. It needs to be cooked in lots of water and then drained. Only cook a maximum of 2 CUPS grain/brown rice in 6.5 cups of water.
Rice type | Cooking time |
Aborio/ Paella | Sauté rice in butter/oil until opaque. Add liquid. Cook for 6-8 minutes. Use the Quick Release. |
Brown Rice | Cook under pressure for 10 minutes. Use Natural Pressure Release for at least 10 minutes then quick release. |
Wild Rice | Cook under pressure for 20 minutes. Use Natural Pressure Release for at least 10 minutes then quick release. |
Cooking Vegetables
When steaming vegetables, chop them up into even size pieces so they cook evenly. Remember most vegetables take a few minutes to cook. Add boiling water to the pot this will bring the unit up to pressure much quicker. Always use the quick steam release to avoid overcooking.
Vegetables Cooking Times
Artichokes 4 medium/large | 7 to 9 minutes |
Asparagus whole | 1 minutes |
Beans, Green cut into 2-inch lengths | 1 to 2 minutes |
Beans, runner cut into 1- inch slices | 2 minutes |
Beetroot , medium-large | 24 to 26 minutes |
Broccoli, cut into large florets | 2 to 3 minutes |
Cauliflower, cut into large florets | 2 to 3 minutes |
Carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths | 8 minutes |
Carrots, ½-inch slices | 2 to 3 minutes |
Corn on the cob, 2 ears | 4 minutes |
Courgette, cut into ½-inch slices | 1 to 3 minutes |
Greens, cabbage, kale, cut into 1-inch strips | 1-2 minutes |
Onions, baby peeled | 2 to 4 minutes |
Parsnips, peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces | 3 to 4 minutes |
Parsnips, ½-inch slices | 1 to 2 minutes |
Potatoes White, medium quartered | 5 to 7 minutes |
Potatoes Sweet, 2-inch cubes | 5 to 6 minutes |
Squash Butternut, peeled & sliced | 3 to 4 minutes |
Cooking Meat and Poultry
Food | Cooking Time (in minutes) |
Chicken | |
Whole 1.5kg | 25-30 |
Breast fillets | 6-8 |
Thigh and leg bone in | 15 |
Thigh boneless | 10 |
Beef | |
Brisket | 55 |
Oxtail | 40-45 |
Shin | 40-50 |
Stewing | 15 |
Steak Mince | 10-15 |
Lamb | |
Leg | 35-40 |
Shanks | 60 |
Shoulder, cubed | 25 |
Stewing, cubed | 15 |
Pork | |
Chops | 10 (brown first) |
Shoulder | 60-70 |
Leg, cubed | 30 |
Hints and Tips for Pressure Cooking
- It really is worth sautéing vegetables, browning meat and warming spices before pressure cooking.
- It may take a little longer to prepare but the end result will be worth it. It adds depth of flavour to the finished result.
- The amount of liquid required when pressure cooking is much less than traditional methods as there is no evaporation during cooking. Any excess liquid at the end of cooking can be thickened or reduced using the Sauté function or simply use a cornflour/water mixture to thicken any remaining liquid.
- Hot liquid/food will come to pressure quicker than cold liquid/food.
- Pressure cooking allows less tender cuts of meat to be cooked quickly and achieve a tender juicy result
Beef Lamb Pork Chicken Shin, Chuck and Blade (Braising Steak) Brisket, Silverside and Oxtail. Shanks, Shoulder, Breast, Scrag and Middle neck. Diced leg, Shoulder, Spare ribs and Belly. Drumsticks, Thighs on the bone or Fillets and Legs. - When preparing vegetables they should be cut into even-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Vegetables can be cooked from frozen very easily, they may take slightly longer than if they were thawed, just make sure they are piping hot before eating.
- It is not recommended to cook meat, fish, poultry or game from frozen. It is recommended to thaw it first as thawed food can either be marinated or browned first which will add heaps of flavour. Also frozen meat will release the fat into the cooking liquid which will result in a fatty sauce. Thawed meat that is browned first will release fat which can be poured away before cooking. If meat, fish, poultry or game is cooked from frozen the cooking time will be longer and the use of a thermometer is essential to ensure that the internal temperature of the product has reached AT LEAST 75°C, if it is not, continue to cook until it is reached.
- When pot roasting meat, add sliced vegetables on the base of the pot such as thickly sliced onions, carrots or celery. Sit the meat on top of these and the flavours from the vegetables will enrich any sauce or gravy. Simply strain the liquid through a sieve and thicken and serve with your pot roast.
- When cooking dried beans and peas, soak them for a minimum of 3 hours in boiling water first or overnight, this will ensure that they remain intact and do not split. Or you can use the quick soak method which is to pre-cook them in the pressure cooker before adding to your recipe for further cooking. Simply rinse and pick out any broken or discolored beans, for every 1 cup of beans add 4 cups of water and a teaspoon of salt to the cooking pot, this prevents the beans from splitting. Add a good drizzle of oil and cook for 4 minutes under pressure. Release the pressure carefully as beans foam. Drain and rinse lightly then use in your recipe that calls for pre-soaked beans.
- Remember do not fill more than half full as beans foam.
- To adapt your own recipes, the general rule is that cooking time will be at least 1⁄3 to 1/2 of the traditional cooking time. Reduce your cooking liquid by at least half – it may be trial and error at first with your recipe to get it right. You may wish to add vegetables and canned pulses at the end of cooking to avoid overcooking.
Care and Cleaning
- Unplug and let the unit cool down before cleaning.
- Clean the base unit with a soft damp cloth. DO NOT IMMERSE THE BASE INTO WATER OR ANY OTHER LIQUID.
- Wash the removable cooking pot in hot soapy water, using a sponge or washing up brush. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Wipe the heating plate with a soft damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
- Remove the condensation collector from the side of the unit, empty and wash thoroughly and let it dry, and replace it back into the original position on the Pressure Cooker.
- Remove the sealing ring assembly from inside the lid by pulling on the metal peg. Carefully remove the clear silicone sealing ring from the inner aluminum plate and wash and dry thoroughly.
- Remove the Pressure Release Valve by pulling it up and off and rinse with warm water and dry, replace it into position
- Rinse the upper and underside of the lid with warm water and remove the Pressure Release Valve Cover by twisting and pulling off. Dry thoroughly and replace the
- Pressure Release Valve Cover by clipping it back into place
- Replace the sealing ring assembly onto the lid making sure the MAKE SURE THE METAL PEG ON THE THE INNER STEEL PLATE FACES OUT. Push this onto the centre post on the lid
- Replace the cooking pot back into the unit. Store the unit with the lid loosely on top of the pressure cooker to prevent aromas, moulds and odours
Storing instructions
- Be sure all parts are clean and dry before storing.
- Store the pressure cooker with cooking pot inside the base unit; and the lid locked. Store assembled unit in a clean dry place.
- Never store the pressure cooker while it is hot or wet.
- Never wrap cord tightly around the appliance; keep it loosely coiled.
Servicing
This appliance requires little maintenance. It contains no user serviceable parts. Do not try to repair it yourself. Any servicing requiring disassembly other than cleaning, must be performed by a qualified electrician.
GUARANTEE
This product is guaranteed for twelve months from the date of original purchase. Any defect that arises due to faulty materials or workmanship will either be replaced or refunded where possible during this period by the dealer from whom you purchased the unit.
The following conditions apply:
- The guarantee does not cover accidental damage, misuse, cabinet parts, knobs or consumable items.
- The product must be correctly installed and operated in accordance with the instructions contained in this manual.
- It must be used only for domestic purposes.
- The guarantee will be rendered invalid if the product is re-sold or has been damaged by inexpert repair.
- Specifications are subject to change without notice.
- The manufacturer disclaims any liability for the incidental or consequential damages.
- The guarantee is in addition to, and does not diminish your statutory or legal rights.
- Valid in the UK only.
Customer Helpline: 0345 467 6743
DISPOSAL INFORMATION
Waste electrical products should not be disposed of with household waste. Please recycle where facilities exist. Check with your local authority for recycling advice.
For technical queries, please contact:
MPL Home Ltd, IMEX, 575 – 599 Maxted Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7DX Downloaded from
Recipes
Risotto with Butternut Squash, Sage and Chestnuts
Ingredients
- 60g butter
- 20 cooked chestnuts, chopped
- 16 sage leaves, shredded
- 1 onion
- 500g risotto rice
- 450g butternut squash, chopped
- 1400ml vegetable stock
- 50g Parmesan cheese
Method
- Add the butter to the cooking pot and select SAUTÉ, add all the chopped chestnuts and half the shredded sage, cook until the butter starts to brown slightly. Remove these with a slotted spoon and set aside for now.
- Add the onion to the cooking pot and sauté until softened; add the rice, butternut squash and the remaining sage. Cook for a minute until the grains of rice start to turn opaque and then add the stock. Cancel the Sauté setting.
- Lock the lid into place and select the RISOTTO setting and set the timer for 8 minutes and cook under pressure.
- When the cooking time has finished, leave to rest for 5 minute before releasing the pressure.
- Add most of the reserved cooked chopped chestnuts keeping a few back to garnish, and add a handful of grated parmesan cheese.
- Serve each portion with a few of the reserved chestnuts on top and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 4 lamb shanks
- 2 tbsp. Harissa paste
- Salt and pepper
- 1-2 tbsp. oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tsp. ground ginger
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp. ground mixed spice
- 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 200ml chicken stock
- 1 tbsp. honey, plus a little extra
- Half a lemon
- 1 x 400g can chickpeas, drained
Method
- Rub the harissa paste into the lamb shanks and season them with salt and pepper.
- Select the BROWNING option and heat the oil in the cooking pot, brown two lamb shanks at a time on all sides remove when brown all over and set aside and repeat with the other two.
- Remove these and keep them to the side for minute.
- Select SAUTÉ and add the onion to the cooking pot and cook until softened, add the spices and warm until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, stock and honey and add the lamb shanks back to the cooking pot, coat the lamb in the sauce.
- Attach the lid and secure, select MEAT and cook under pressure for 1 hour.
- When the cooking time has finished, remove the lamb shanks and place them on a large serving plate and keep them warm.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of honey and add the chickpeas.
- Select the SAUTÉ function and bring the liquid to a boil, simmer down until the sauce has thickened.
- Pour the sauce over the lamb shanks and serve with cous cous.
Asian Style Aromatic Pulled Pork
This is the perfect recipe for the pressure cooker; it produces meltingly tender meat in 70 minutes. Fabulous for a party, simply prepare everything in advance and just let the pressure cooker do all the work. The pork does benefit from marinating in the spice rub overnight.
Ingredients
2.5 kg pork shoulder, remove rind and fat
Sauce
- 1-2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced into thick rings
- 2 tbsp. light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp. hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar or cider vinegar
- 8 tbsp. water
- 1 tbsp. runny honey
Spice rub
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 star anise
- 1 tsp. fennel seeds
- 1 tsp. Szechuan peppercorns
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp. coriander seeds
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. garlic salt
- 2 cloves
Method
- Remove the rind from the pork and remove as much fat using a sharp knife as you can. Cut the pork into 4 large pieces, set aside for a minute.
- Make the spice rub by blitzing the ingredients in a spice grinder or pounding with a pestle and mortar, until you have a powder. Using your hands rub this into the pieces of pork then place in a bowl and cover with cling film. Marinate this overnight in the fridge if you can, if not as long as possible.
- When ready to cook, sear the pieces of pork in a little oil on the BROWNING function until brown on all sides, remove from the pot for a minute. Cancel the browning function.
- Add the onion in a layer on the bottom of the cooking pot and add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice/cider vinegar and water. Sit the pork on top and turn the meat over to coat it in the sauce.
- Select the MEAT function and increase the time to 70 minutes, cook under pressure. When the pork has finished cooking, release the pressure. Remove the pork from the pot and place on a serving plate and spoon a little of the cooking liquid over it. Leave the meat to rest covered with foil for 10-15 minutes.
- While the meat is resting, bring the cooking liquid to the boil on the SAUTÉ function and add the honey, leave this to reduce down to a thick consistency. Strain through a sieve if desired.
- When ready to serve, shred the meat with two forks.
- Serve the pulled pork piled onto a tortilla wrap with cucumber and spring onion strips and a good drizzle of the sauce, roll up and eat
Celeriac and Stilton Soup
This soup is made using Celeriac which is a very underrated vegetable. The combination of the subtle sweetness from the pear and the creaminess from the Stilton is a real winner.
Ingredients
- Knob of butter
- 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
- 500g celeriac, peeled and chopped into small chunks
- 250g potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
- Few sprigs of thyme
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- 125g Stilton, crumbled
- Serve with crusty bread and a swirl of cream
Method
- Add the butter to the cooking pot and select SAUTÉ, Add the onion and gently fry for 5-6 minutes until softened.
- Add the celeriac, potato, pear and thyme to the pan with some salt and pepper and add the vegetable stock, switch to the SOUP setting and cook under pressure for 20 minutes. When cooking has finished use the natural release method.
- Remove the lid and take out any stalks from the thyme. Then blend until smooth using a hand stick blender in the cooking pot, taking care not to scratch the base of the bowl.
- Stir in half the Stilton and allow to gently melt in the soup.
- Divide the soup between warm bowls and sprinkle the remaining Stilton over each portion to serve.
- Serve with a swirl of cream and some warm crusty bread.
Beef Shin Ragu
This is comfort food at its best made with a great cheap cut Shin of Beef. The long slow cooking time tenderises the meat and makes it deliciously tender. This thick meaty sauce needs to be served with wide pasta such as pappardelle Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. oil
- 1.5 kg shin of beef, sliced into think pieces
- 75g pancetta, chopped into small pieces
- 1 large onion
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. tomato puree
- 3 anchovy fillets
- 200ml red wine
- 300ml beef stock
- Bouquet garni made with thyme, rosemary and bay leaf
- Serve with thick pasta such as pappardelle and shaved parmesan
Method
- Add the oil to the cooking pot and select the BROWNING function, brown the beef on all sides you will have to do this in batches so it does not stew; when brown set aside.
- Select the SAUTÉ function and add a little more oil if needed and sauté the pancetta till crisp, and then add the onion, garlic, celery and carrots and sauté till softened this will take about 10 minutes.
- Add the tomato puree and the anchovy fillets and cook for a few minutes. Add the wine and bring to a bubble to reduce slightly then add the stock and bouquet garni.
- Add the beef back to the pan along with any resting juices and switch the unit to SLOW COOK.
- Cook the Ragu for 6-8 hours or until meltingly tender, if you can give it a stir during cooking.
- After the cooking time has finished, remove the beef and shred with 2 forks, increase the heat to a rapid boil and reduce the sauce to a thick consistency. Add the meat back to the pot and stir through.
- Serve with hot freshly cooked pappardelle and shaved parmesan cheese. Downloaded from
Pot Roast Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic
This is one pot cooking at its best. This recipe cooks a whole chicken in 30 minutes; this means that you can have a mid-week roast in no time at all! erves 4-6 people depending on how hungry you are
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus a few extra sprigs
- 30g soft butter
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium size chicken (approximately 1.5kg)
- 1 small glass of dry white wine or chicken stock
- 2 onions, peeled and thickly sliced
- 1 tbsp. cornflour/water mixture to thicken
- Serve with a selection of vegetables or a simple salad.
Method
- Start by making the herb butter. Pound the chopped rosemary, butter, lemon zest, garlic, salt and a good grind of black pepper in a mortar and pestle until it is smooth or you could use a mini chopper.
- The aim is to get the butter under the skin of the chicken, so lift the skin slightly and using your fingers loosen the skin from the chicken breast, this creates a ‘pocket’ for you to add the butter.
- Spoon in some of the butter and push it down and around the breast. Repeat with the other side.
- Keep a little back and rub it all over the chicken.
- Slice the lemon in half and add half to the cavity of the chicken along with a sprig of rosemary.
- Use the BROWNING function to sear your chicken on all sides; this will give the chicken some colour when cooked. When browned on all sides remove and set this aside for a minute. Cancel the browning function.
- Add the sliced onions so that they fit in the bottom of the cooking pot. Add the wine or stock to the cooking pot and the last sprig of rosemary to the cooking liquid. Place the chicken on top of the onions, by doing this the chicken does not come into contact with the base where the skin can catch slightly and the onions will add a lovely flavour to the gravy.
- Give the chicken another sprinkle with salt and pepper and a sprinkle with any stray bits of rosemary and secure the lid.
- Select the CHICKEN function and set the time to 30 minutes. Cook under pressure. When the chicken has finished cooking, leave the unit for 10 minutes to give the chicken time to rest.
- Release any remaining pressure and remove the chicken. If you want to brown it further pop it under a hot grill for 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Skim any fat away from the juice remaining in the cooking pot and thicken the remaining liquid with the cornflour/water mixture or reduce it down by bringing it back to the boil on the SAUTÉ function and bubble away until reduced, strain through a sieve and serve with the chicken.
Chicken with Chorizo
This dish is a delicious combination of chicken with smoky chorizo; make sure you have lots of crusty bread to mop up the rich sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. oil
- 8 skinless and boneless chicken thighs, chopped into bite size pieces
- 1 chorizo ring, chopped into bite size pieces
- 2 x red onions, diced
- 2 x garlic cloves
- 2 red peppers, de-seeded and roughly chopped
- 2 sticks celery, sliced
- 1.5 tsp. hot chilli powder
- 1 x 400g tin of cherry tomatoes
- 100ml chicken stock
- 1 x 400g tin of Borlotti beans
- 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
Method
- Add the oil to the pot and select the BROWNING function. Add the chicken pieces and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside for a minute.
- Select SAUTÉ; add the chorizo pieces and cook until crispy, then add the onion and garlic and sauté in the oil from the chorizo until softened slightly.
- Add the add peppers, celery and the chilli powder and stir for 1 minute. Add the chicken back into the cooking pot and add the cherry tomatoes and stock and stir well.
- Change the setting to the CHICKEN function and cook for 15 minutes under pressure.
- When the cooking time has finished, add the beans and parsley replace the lid and leave to stand for 5 minutes to heat the beans through.
- Serve with crusty bread or rice.
South Indian Vegetable Curry with Paneer
This curry is lightly spiced and lovely and fragrant, the addition of Paneer gives the curry more body, serve it with warm naan bread to soak up the sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 tsp. peeled and grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tsp. black mustard seeds
- 12-15 fresh curry leaves
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. garam masala
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1 green chilli, finely chopped
- 400ml coconut milk
- 150ml vegetable stock
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced into big chunks
- 1 small head of cauliflower, broken into florets
- 2 courgettes, chopped into chunky pieces
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into chunky pieces
- 200g green beans, trimmed and sliced in half
- 227g block Paneer cheese, cubed into bite size pieces
- 100g baby spinach leaves
- Small bunch coriander, chopped
- Serve with warm naan bread, basmati rice and lemon wedges
Method
- Add the oil to the cooking pot and select the SAUTÉ function add the sliced onion and fry until softened but not coloured, add the ginger, garlic, spices, and chilli and fry until fragrant.
- Add the coconut milk and stock and bring to the boil. Stir in the carrot, cauliflower, courgettes, sweet potato, green beans and paneer and stir well to coat everything in the sauce. Cancel the SAUTÉ function.
- Place the lid onto the unit and select PRESSURE, set it to 5 minutes. Cook under pressure.
- When cooking has finished, release the steam straight away and remove the lid carefully away from you.
- Add spinach and chopped coriander and stir into the curry. Replace the lid and leave to sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
- Serve the curry with warm naan bread and scattered with a little more chopped coriander.
Hearty Winter Soup with Ham Hock
This soup is delicious in the cold winter months and is substantial enough for a main meal. It is thick and wholesome with exceptionally tender meat.
Ingredients
- 1 unsmoked bacon/ham hock
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 150g dried red lentils
- 150g dried yellow split peas 80g pearl barley
- 1 tbsp. mixed herbs
- 1.5 litres hot chicken stock
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Serve with crusty bread and butter
Method
- Prepare the bacon/ham hock by removing the rind and as much fat as possible using a sharp knife.
- Place the bacon/ham hock into the cooking pot.
- Add the remaining ingredients, make sure the liquid does not exceed the half way mark and stir well.
- Replace the lid and select the SOUP setting increase the time to 80 minutes.
- When the cooking time has finished cooking. Leave the unit to release the pressure naturally; this should take about 10-15 minutes, only release the lid with the pressure goes down.
- Remove the ham hock and cut into big chunks and add back to the soup, give it a stir.
- Serve in soup bowls with crusty bread on the side.
- Any left overs can be frozen in soup pouches and kept for 3 months.
Perfect Mash Potato
This has got to be one of the best ways to cook potatoes; steaming retains all the nutrients and keeps them dry which makes fantastic creamy mash potato.
Ingredients
- 1kg Maris Piper potatoes evenly sized, washed and left whole
- Knob of Butter
- Splash of Milk/Cream
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Method
- Scrub the potatoes well.
- Fill the cooking pot with water to the 1/5 level on the inside of the pot and place the steaming rack inside the pot.
- Place the potatoes on top of the steaming rack and secure the lid.
- Select the STEAM option and cook under pressure for 15 minutes.
- When cooking has finished release the pressure and using a knife remove the skin from the potatoes, taking care as the potatoes will be very hot!
- Place the potatoes in a bowl add a knob of butter and a good splash of milk or cream.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth and season generously with salt and pepper. For other delicious options, add grated cheese, wholegrain mustard or even a dollop of creamed horseradish sauce.
Boston Style Baked Beans
This is a fantastic side dish perfect with sausages and mashed potato or a perfect side dish for a gang when having a BBQ!
Ingredients
- 500g dried haricot beans, rinsed and picked over to remove any broken beans
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. oil
- 2 litre water
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp. oil
- 180g smoked bacon lardons
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 100g treacle
- 130g tomato ketchup
- 40g dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. wholegrain mustard
- 1 tsp. dry mustard powder
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. chilli powder
- 700ml water
Method
- Use a quick soak method to cut down on soaking time for the beans, to do this place the beans, salt , oil and water into the cooking pot and secure the lid. Select the PRESSURE setting and cook under pressure for 4 minutes, then use the quick release method to release the pressure. Drain the beans and set them aside.
- Wipe out the cooking pot and replace into the unit, add the oil and bacon lardons and use the SAUTÉ function to crisp the bacon, when the bacon is crisp add the onion and cook until softened then cancel the setting.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the cooking pot and all of the drained beans, give it a good stir and secure the lid. Cook on the PRESSURE setting for 45 minutes.
- When cooking has finished release the pressure, the beans should be tender but not too soft and still have a slight bite to them, if they are too firm, cook for a further 5 minutes.
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