News From The Farm - Farmison & Co (2024)

Pressure cookers Vs slow cookers is a debate with passionatesupporters on both sides. Both types of cooker are celebrated forbeing energy efficient and convenient. They also can both be usedto create superb meals. But what is the difference, how do theywork and what can they be used to make? Discover all the benefitsof using a slow cooker or pressure cooker with Farmison & Cotoday.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRESSURE COOKER AND SLOWCOOKER?

The difference between slow cookers and pressure cookers is theway that they cook the food.

Slow cookers use low heat to slowly cook food
Pressure cookers use hot steam and pressure to quickly cookfood.

Both slow cookers and pressure cookers are countertop kitchenappliances that can be used in place of an oven which is why theyare sometimes thought of as interchangeable. However, slow cookersand pressure cookers are not the same thing. That being said, somecompanies do sell multi-cookers which combine pressure cookers andslow cookers in one.

SLOWCOOKER OVERVIEW

When combined with top qualitymeat, slow cookers can produce some excellent results. What'smore, slow cookers are very energy efficient and easy to use. Belowwe are answering some of the top questions about slow cookers.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SLOW COOKERS?

Here are some of the top benefits of slow cookers:

Slow cookers can take lessfashionable cuts of meat and really make something special.They offer the advantage of adding extra depth to your cooking.Adding red wine, herbs & spices to the slow cooker can takeyour dish to another level.
Slow cookers are energy efficient. Despite being on for a longtime, slow cookers draw very little energy and can be moreeconomical than using a conventional oven.
Slow cookers are convenient. You simply place all theingredients in the cooker which saves preparation time and extrawashing up.

WHAT IS THE BEST MEAT TO SLOW COOK?

Traditionally cheaper cuts of meat always slow cook better.Slowcooking breaks down the connective collagen in meat, whichturns into unctuous gelatine. This creates that soft and tendermouth feel we all crave.

WHAT CUTS OF MEAT COOK WELL IN A SLOW COOKER?

If you are buying meat to slow cook, the tougher parts of theanimal all work really well. Some of our favourite cuts of meat forslow cooking include:

BeefShin
BeefFeatherblade
OxCheek
Oxtail
Pork Shoulder
PorkBelly
LambShoulder
DicedStewing Steak

In general, the longer you can cook meat in a slow cooker thebetter. All these cuts will give deliciously tender results whendone on a low heat in a slow cooker. For the ultimate convenience,order your meat from Farmison & Co for delivery direct to yourdoor.

CAN YOU OVERCOOK MEAT IN A SLOW COOKER?

It is virtually impossible to overcook meat in a slow cooker.Since the temperatures are much more accurate than a conventionaloven or hob, cooking times are usually far more accurate. What'smore, because it is a low temperature, slow cookers are a lot moreforgiving if you leave something cooking slightly longer than it issupposed to. Overcooking can happen though if you use the wrongsetting and temperature.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CROCK-POT AND A SLOWCOOKER?

Crock-pot and slow cooker are often used interchangeably andthere is not a lot of difference between the two. However,technically crock-pots and slow cookers are not the same thing:

Crock-pot is a brandwho specialise in and made the original slow cookers.
Slow Cookers are a product which are made and sold by Crock-potbut can also be made by other companies too.

So whilst all crock-pots are slow cookers, not all slow cookersare crock-pots. The typical slow cooker today is marketed as acrock-pot style slow cooker.

PRESSURE COOKER OVERVIEW

Like slow cookers, pressure cookers can also be used to makeexcellent meals. Unlike slow cookers, pressure cookers work quicklyfor short cooking times. Discover the answers to some top questionsabout pressure cookers below.

CAN YOU COOK RAW MEAT IN A PRESSURE COOKER?

Yes, you can cook raw meat in a pressure cooker. Most pressurecookers have a sauté function. Simply brown your meat using thesauté function. Then add water and pressure cook for quick andtasty results. You don't need to brown your meat before pressurecooking but doing so will achieve better flavour.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRESSURE COOK MEAT?

Since the cooking chamber in a pressure cooker is a sealed area,the heat from the liquid builds and gets much hotter than inconventional steaming. This hot steam denatures the meat structurecreating tender meat in a reduced time frame.

WHAT KIND OF MEAT CAN YOU PUT IN A PRESSURE COOKER?

Most meats can be cooked in a pressure cooker. Some of the bestcuts of meat for pressure cooking include:

ChuckSteak
BeefBrisket
BostonButt
Oxtail

As a general rule, the best meats for pressure cooking areusually fatty meats with bones, skin, and marbling from fat andtendons. Lean meats can be trickier to pressure cook.

IS IT HEALTHY TO COOK MEAT IN A PRESSURE COOKER?

Yes, it is considered healthy to cook meat in a pressure cookeras you are using steam instead of oil. As with any recipe though,the healthiness of the meal depends on what you are pairing themeat with.

DO YOU HAVE TO PUT WATER IN A PRESSURE COOKER WHEN COOKINGMEAT?

The simple answer is yes you do have to put water in a pressurecooker when cooking meat. The longer answer is that you need liquidto create steam, but it doesn't have to be water. You can tryanything from water, to a simple stock, red wine or even a Chinesestyle soy marinade. Typically you require a minimum of 1 cup ofliquid when pressure cooking meat.

WHY IS MY PRESSURE COOKER MEAT DRY?

If you prepare meat in a pressure cooker and it turns out dry,this is usually because the meat has cooked too long & thenatural juices have been squeezed out. The result is a tasty gravybut dry meat. To keep your meat moist, ensure there is enoughliquid in the cooker and stick to cooking times.

BETTER COOKING WITH FARMISON & CO

The best quality meat calls for the best quality preparation.Whether you are making the family a delicious winter warmer in theslow cooker or trying a quick and easy recipe in thepressure cooker, our meat is the best for the job. We work withsmall, localfarms and have close relationships with all of our farmers.Each porksausage or beefsteak that ends up on your plate can be traced back to thefree range pig or grass-fed cattle which it came from. This traceabilitymeans we can be certain that we are only delivering the highestquality products. You can taste the difference. Take out the slowcooker or pressure cooker and Eat Better Meat withFarmison & Co.