BUT...I’m scared of freak explosions. Please don’t roll your eyes! It could happen.
HOWEVER...I shoved my fear aside and just did it. Bought a pressure cooker. Yes, I did!
AND...I love it! I’ve made carnitas and a stewed pineapple chicken. The pork took less than 1 hour and the chicken took a little more than half an hour from prep to table. And no freak explosions! Seriously folks, this is the way to go!
This stewed chicken was so delicious. The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce had just the right amount of heat, sweetness and saltiness. Our family really enjoyed this dish and I think yours will too.
Succulent Pineapple Chicken
Feeds 3 or 4 adults
- 6 skinless chicken drumsticks or thighs (also works well with 1.5 lbs pork butt or country ribs)
- ½ cup fresh pineapple, chopped or crushed (canned pineapple in juice is also fine!)
- 1 healthy knob ginger, grated
- 5 to 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, finely sliced
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce (or 3 tbs regular soy)
- 1 ½ cup chicken stock (water is also fine)
- whole jalapeno(s) sliced lengthwise, to taste (optional)
- salt, to taste
You can achieve the same results by braising on your stovetop or in your oven (325 to 350F), but it will probably take over an hour.
To serve, I removed the meat from the bone into a deep serving dish. I concentrated the sauce a bit by simply reducing it over high heat, then poured it over the chicken.
Perfect served with steamed rice (and extra sambal oelek on the side!).
I still don't know about the pressure cooker :-) Fortunately I don't have any more space in my kitchen, so whether or not to get one is really not an option right now ... chicken looks great though! I remember doing something similar some time ago, and i really liked the sweetness of the fruit together with the chicken.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting a pressure cooker for a long time, but I was afraid of the explosions too. I think you have just convinced me to get one though. That's what I love about blogging. ;)
ReplyDeleteLars, I don't have the space either. After I use it, I have to store it in the basement!
ReplyDeletejs, I love it, but I'm still scared of the damned thing! I literally get it going and sit in the next room, occasionally poking my head in to check on it. If I have to go into the kitchen, I tiptoe, as if that would prevent an explosion! LOL And I don't let my son anywhere in the kitchen when I've got it on. I'm sure it will only take a couple hundred more uses before I get over the fear.
I don't even have a basement ;-) But actually the chance off having a food explosion in my kitchen is almost kinda tempting... the house forever scented with rich daube. All warnings of putting eggs in the microwave have always tempted me too ... the combination of explosions, food, and the forbidden is almost sinfully fascinating! LOL
ReplyDeletePineapple chicken is sounding and lookng good! LOL at your worrying about a pressure cooker!
ReplyDeleteLars, you're strange. I mean that in the nicest way. :-)
ReplyDeleteJan, thank you. My Indian coworker also laughed at me. He says they use the pressure cooker just about every day and have never had any problems.
Wow, that is quick! I've never used a pressure cooker before...sounds like it sure would be a handy thing to have around. The chicken sounds delicious, btw!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a pressure cooker! =( But, it does seem to work magic!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I think I have pressure-cooker phobia. There is one sitting in a box in the closet, and I'm too wimpy to try it. I picture it blowing up and taking me and the house with it in cartoon style. This post, however, has given me a bit more courage to try it. With the cold weather looming and soccer practice eating into dinner prep time, I may break down. And what better way to go than to try this recipe! I love sambal oelek!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog, the pineapple chicken looks so good, my husband will love it...thanks for sharing your recipes!
ReplyDeletePaula, I got the pressure cooker because Sonny will be starting swimming soon, and I wanted to be able to throw quick dinners together.
ReplyDeleteC-Chan, Please let me know if he does!
Glad to see some attention given to pressure cookers. Some people dismiss them as things serious cooks shouldn't use, but they can produce some of the heartiest comfort food ever.
ReplyDeleteDiana, those dismissive people probably don't know how to use a pressure cooker ;-)
ReplyDeletePressure cookers are still way too scary for me! But that pineapple chicken looks great!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, I tried this recipe last night, and YUM! My kids, my hubby, and I all loved it, and it will become a staple in my very limited list of meals I know how to prepare. By the way, I cooked mine on the stovetop, and it turned out great. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeletetammyb, I'm so glad you liked it! Can't really go wrong with those ingredients.
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ReplyDeleteI tried the pineapple chicken, and we both loved it.. ^^ Sweet, spicy and salty, yum! Pic at my blog, thanks for the recipe!
c-chan, yay! I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteYAY! Glad to see you finally gave in ;) And you're right, it's important to be environmentally sound too, which a pressure cooker is :)
ReplyDeleteI f'Love pineapple in savory dishes. It's a very Thai touch, if you ask me. When I was in high school, whenever the cafeteria would offer something with pineapple in it, I'd always order it :)
manggy, I've been using it at least once a week. I'm still a little "worried" when the pressure starts to build up because it makes weird hissing and "choo choo" noises. I try to stay out of the kitchen during that time.LOL
ReplyDeleteThat chicken looks tasty!
ReplyDeleteI made this for dinner the other night, but without the pressure cooker. I used boneless, skinless thighs and it went really fast on the stovetop. I like the warm, savory-sweet pineapple.
ReplyDeletemaryruth, I very glad you liked it. it's pretty easy to make, even without a pressure cooker.
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