Pressure Cooker - new adventures in cooking

[The Captain]

Well this weekend I finally got over my fear of pressure cookers and used one I asked for as a gift over a year ago.

It was stunningly easy.  Made Swiss Steak and the meat was tender and juicy.  Completed in about an hour start to finish (with DH helping with prep).

Looking forward to trying some artichokes later this week.

Anyone have any tips or hints to share?

[bean29]

Swiss steak and canning are the only things I remember Mom using the pressure cooker for.  She had two a big one for the stove and a smaller electric one.

I wish my family would eat that.  They won't have anything to do with traditional Amreican food.  They won't eat meatloaf either. 

Hope the artichockes work out.  Now that is something I would not eat...but I know quite a few people that love them.

[weltschmerz]

 I remember the pressure cooker exploding when I was a little girl, scalding the dog quite badly. The hair on poor Amiga's back and flanks never grew back.
They've made me nervous ever since.

[The Captain]

Weltschmerz - I witnessed an accident with an industrial sized pressure cooker while working in my HS cafeteria.  It took me close to 30 years to get over that.

The newer models have several fail-safes built in.  Apparently it is next to impossible (I don't intend to test it) to remove the lid while the vessel is still pressurized.  There are multiple interlocking metal clamps on the lid that slot into the pan.  The design is different and apparently much safter.  I watched the DVD that came with it, read the instruction manual, and even checked out a few you-tube demos. 

I'll use it a few more times before forming a final opinoin, but if it is as easy as it appears, I wish I'd gotten over my fears years ago. 

[weltschmerz]

Regardless, I can't think of anything I would use it for. It's good for meat, I imagine, but I don't eat meat. It would turn fish, fruits and veggies into an overcooked mess.