How to Cook Pinto Beans in a Pressure Cooker

By jkenb

I don't care too much for the traditional method of cooking beans. It takes too much planning with the overnight soaking and tending to the cooking pot for 2 hours. I've used a pressure cooker for so long now, it's second nature to me.
Do you have a pressure cooker? Go over to the SDR Kitchen Store and get yourself one. They're great to have around. With a pressure cooker, there's no need for soaking the beans over night, or boiling for two minutes then waiting for the beans to stand for one hour. I KNOW! See? You need a pressure cooker!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 • 2 1/2 cup dried pinto beans
• 1 1/2 • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 • 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 5 to 5 1/2 • 5 to 5 1/2 cups water
• All beans need to be rinsed and checked for foreign objects.

Preparation

Step 1

Put all the ingredients in the pressure cooker. For my Presto 6 quart pressure cooker, I close the cover securely. Place pressure regulator on the vent pipe. I use a high heat setting to heat up the pressure cooker until the pressure regulator starts chattering, then I immediately lower the heat to medium low.
Cooking time begins when the pressure regulator begins to rock. Reduce the heat to medium low or low, maintaining a slow, steady rocking motion and cook 50 minutes. If the pressure regulator is allowed to rock vigorously, excess steam will escape. Therefore, too much liquid will evaporate and food may scorch. Never leave a pressure cooker unattended at high heat settings. It could boil dry, overheat, and cause damage to the pressure cooker and stove top.
When cooking time is complete, turn off the burner. If using electric stove, CAREFULLY remove cooker away from burner. Let the pressure drop of its own accord, i.e. allow to cool until pressure is COMPLETELY REDUCED and the lid lock drops. It is now safe to remove the pressure regulator and the cover. If the cover turns hard, there still may be some pressure in the unit. Do not force the cover off. You can place the pressure cooker in the sink and run cold tap water over the lid until steam no longer is escaping from the vent pipe, the air vent/cover lock has dropped, and the cover turns easily.
The beans are ready to serve