Steaming Garlic: Using A Pressure Cooker The Right Way

Steaming garlic in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to get your garlic fix. The process is simple: add water to the pressure cooker, place a steamer basket inside, cut off the tops of your garlic bulbs, place them in the basket, drizzle with olive oil, secure the lid, and cook for around 5-10 minutes. Once done, you can squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of their skins and use them in a variety of dishes or store them for later.

Prepare the pressure cooker with water and steamer basket

Preparing the pressure cooker with water and a steamer basket is a crucial step in achieving perfectly steamed garlic. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Firstly, ensure you have a steamer basket that fits comfortably inside your pressure cooker. The steamer basket will act as a platform to hold the garlic above the water level, allowing it to steam effectively. Place the steamer basket inside the pressure cooker.

Next, add water to the pressure cooker. The amount of water required will depend on the size of your cooker and the steamer basket. The goal is to add enough water so that it reaches just below the bottom of the steamer basket. This ensures the garlic is not submerged in water but has sufficient steam to cook.

Once the steamer basket and water are in place, you can carefully place the garlic bulbs into the basket. Depending on the size of your cooker and basket, you may be able to fit multiple bulbs. For most recipes, the garlic bulbs should be placed cut-side up, exposing the cloves to direct steam.

At this point, your pressure cooker should be ready for the next steps in the steaming process. You can now proceed to lock the lid, turn on the heat, and follow the timing instructions provided in your chosen recipe. Remember to always exercise caution when handling a hot pressure cooker.

In summary, preparing your pressure cooker for steaming garlic involves placing a steamer basket inside, adding water to just below the basket's level, and then placing the garlic bulbs cut-side up in the basket. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and tender steamed garlic!

Slice off the top of the garlic bulbs

To steam garlic in a pressure cooker, you'll need to start by slicing off the top of the garlic bulbs. This is a crucial step as it exposes the individual cloves to the steam, ensuring they cook evenly. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

First, take a sharp knife and hold the garlic bulb firmly on a cutting board. Identify the top of the bulb, which is where the stem would be attached. Place the knife just below the top and slice downwards, cutting off approximately the top quarter of the bulb. The exact amount sliced off will depend on the size of the bulb, but generally, you want to expose the tops of the cloves inside. Be careful not to cut too deeply, as you don't want to damage the cloves themselves.

Once you've sliced off the top, you'll notice that the outer skin of the bulb is still holding the cloves together. Carefully peel away this skin, revealing the individual cloves. You can use your fingers or a small knife to gently separate the cloves if needed. It's important to keep the bulb as intact as possible, so try to avoid pulling the cloves apart.

Now, you should be left with a mostly intact bulb with the tips of the cloves exposed. Place these bulbs in a steamer basket or directly onto the trivet of your pressure cooker, ensuring they are secure and won't tip over during cooking.

At this point, you can also choose to drizzle the bulbs with a small amount of olive oil. This will help to enhance the flavour and give the garlic a richer taste. However, this step is optional, and you can proceed without it if preferred.

Once your garlic bulbs are prepared and placed in the pressure cooker, you can proceed with the steaming process as per your pressure cooker's instructions.

By slicing off the top of the garlic bulbs, you're allowing the steam to penetrate the cloves and cook them evenly. This step is essential in achieving perfectly steamed garlic, so take care when performing it.

Place bulbs in the pressure cooker steamer basket

Once you've sliced off the tops of the garlic bulbs, it's time to place them in the pressure cooker steamer basket. This is a crucial step in the process of steaming garlic in your pressure cooker, so it's important to get it right.

First, make sure you have a steamer basket that fits your pressure cooker. The basket should be large enough to accommodate the number of garlic bulbs you plan to steam. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a trivet or a rack that fits inside your pressure cooker.

Next, carefully place the garlic bulbs in the steamer basket. Make sure the bulbs are secure and won't roll around or tip over during cooking. You may need to trim the roots of the bulbs to ensure they fit snugly in the basket.

Once the bulbs are in the basket, you can add some water to the pressure cooker. The water level should be just below the bottom of the steamer basket. You don't want the water touching the garlic bulbs, as this will affect the steaming process.

Now, you're ready to close and lock the pressure cooker lid. Make sure the valve is in the pressure cooking position and set the timer according to your cooker's instructions. For stovetop pressure cookers, cook for 5 minutes at high pressure. For electric pressure cookers, cook for 6 minutes at high pressure.

When the timer goes off, don't rush to open the pressure cooker. Allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10-15 minutes. This gradual release ensures that the garlic is cooked perfectly and maintains the integrity of your pressure cooker.

After the natural release, carefully open the lid and, using tongs, remove the hot, soft garlic bulbs from the steamer basket. Your garlic is now steamed and ready for the next step—broiling to achieve that perfect roasted flavour!

Close and lock the pressure cooker

Closing and locking the pressure cooker is a crucial step in the process of steaming garlic. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it correctly:

Before closing the pressure cooker, it is important to prepare the cooker and the garlic properly. First, add water to the cooker and place a steamer basket or trivet inside. Then, slice off the top of the garlic bulbs, exposing the cloves. Place the bulbs in the steamer basket or on the trivet, cut-side facing up.

Now, it's time to close and lock the pressure cooker. Place the lid on the cooker and ensure it is securely closed. If using a stovetop pressure cooker, turn the heat to high. Once the cooker reaches high pressure, lower the heat to the minimum level required to maintain pressure. If using an electric pressure cooker, simply lock the lid in place.

It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific pressure cooker model. For example, some cookers may require you to select a specific function, such as the "Poultry" function, or adjust the settings to a particular level. Always refer to the manual for your cooker for the most accurate instructions.

Once the pressure cooker is closed and locked, it will begin to build pressure. This step is crucial to the cooking process as it creates the high-pressure environment that cooks the garlic evenly and efficiently. The time required for pressure to build will vary depending on your cooker and the amount of garlic being cooked. For example, a cooker with more garlic inside may take longer to reach high pressure.

While the cooker is building pressure, you can prepare any side dishes or other components of your meal. However, it is important to keep an ear out for the sound of the cooker reaching pressure. Once it does, you can adjust the heat or begin timing the cooking process, depending on your cooker type.

Closing and locking the pressure cooker is a simple yet vital step in steaming garlic. It ensures the cooker reaches the necessary pressure for efficient cooking. Always follow the instructions for your specific cooker and be mindful of the timing and settings required for optimal results.

Set the valve to the pressure-cooking position

Once you've prepared your pressure cooker with water and a steamer basket, placed the garlic bulbs in the basket, and closed and locked the pressure cooker, it's time to set the valve to the pressure-cooking position.

This step is crucial as it ensures that the pressure cooker can build up the necessary pressure to cook the garlic effectively. The valve is usually located on the lid of the pressure cooker. It allows pressure to be released during cooking, and it needs to be set correctly for the cooking process to work.

For stovetop pressure cookers, you will need to adjust the heat to maintain the pressure at the right level. This may involve lowering the heat to a minimum once the cooker reaches pressure. Electric pressure cookers, on the other hand, will automatically adjust the heat to maintain the desired pressure level.

After setting the valve to the pressure-cooking position, you can proceed with the timed cooking. For stovetop pressure cookers, cook the garlic for about 5 minutes at high pressure. Electric pressure cookers may require a slightly longer cooking time, typically around 6 minutes at high pressure.

Remember to refer to your pressure cooker's instructions to familiarise yourself with the specific settings and functions of your model. Each pressure cooker may have slight variations in terms of valve settings and pressure release mechanisms.

Frequently asked questions