Flawlessly functional, endlessly versatile, the contemporary pressure cooker has come a long way from the formidable stove top contraptions of yore. What was once a fearsome unitasker, just as likely to detonate as provide diner, is now the must-have appliance in any moderately serviceable kitchen. The category is exploding with models- Metaphorically, of course, because safety seals have evolved and improved over the years as well. Performance varies, and what’s particularly important for those with limited countertop real estate to spare, some are far more capable and adaptable than others.
No mere pressure cooker, the Fissler Souspreme Multi Pot has 18 one-touch cooking programs. You’ve got all your staples, from stews, beans, rice, and beyond, but also the ability to slow cook, make cakes, and steam vegetables, too. What really sets this compact dynamo apart from the competition, however, are the settings for fermentation and sous vide.
Who could possibly resist the temptation to whip up a batch of kimchi at home, from scratch, in three hours? Fully fermented with a satisfying funk, I sped through the concept by hastily dumping a bag of shredded cabbage into the pot, along with fiery gochugaru, roughly torn scallions, and salt. No chopping, no brining, no mess. Seal the lid and walk away; the Souspreme Multi Pot can take it from here. If you can stand to wait longer, your patience will be rewarded with a punchier cabbage pickle, but in a pinch, this can save you from bland bi bim bap, no problem.
Yogurt is another basic essential I had wanted to try for ages, but never had the ideal conditions. It takes only milk, of any sort or origin, and a starter culture to bring in the good bacteria. Keeping it all warm- Not hot, not cold- For 12 hours is the real challenge. Not so in the Souspreme Multi Pot. Once again, just set it and forget it. Walk away, go about your daily life, and come back in for a real tart, tangy, dairy-free delight. I let mine run overnight, so woke up to the most heavenly little pots of maple-sweetened matcha yogurt, made with pistachio milk. Where else are you going to find that kind of combination?
What about that headlining sous vide function, you may ask? Well, now that’s a fun twist that really highlights the precision of this fine machine. The temperature can be set to the very degree from 113 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit. With such exacting control, there’s no need for an immersion circulator. Just vacuum seal your food, pop it in, and dial up the timer for anything between 1 and 24 hours. Though typically reserved for prime cuts of meat or boiled eggs with runny yolks, the same concept is completely applicable for the hardy vegetables that could otherwise be at risk of under-cooking, like whole heads of cauliflower or cabbage.
The new wave of plant-based meats, however, add an interesting new chapter to this story. I had to find out if the “bleeding” burgers could be cooked in this way, finished with the reverse searing technique. That is, cook the patty to a safe temperature, slowly and carefully, and then setting it on a blisteringly hot griddle to immediately sear the exterior, leaving the inside utterly rare, pink, yet ready to eat. Finally, I was able to experience that ideal juicy burger patty that only turns up in culinary mythology. Thick, beefy patties, finished with two planes of golden brown crust sealing in an undeniably prime center. THAT is the experience that can win over any carnivore, any day.
Getting back to basics, the true test came down to classic little French dish known as cassoulet. Traditionally stewed and baked for hours, if not a full day, some say there are no viable shortcuts for this hearty, comforting dish. Well, I say, they’re wrong! Starting from dry beans in cold water, it takes zero labor and only 30 minutes of cooking time under pressure using the Souspreme Multi Pot.
Crisp cubes of bread are toasted separately and added at the table to stay perfectly crunchy, as opposed to the typical morass of mushy breadcrumbs baked right in. Meaty shiitake mushrooms, also added directly to the Souspreme Multi Pot without any need to soak, stand in for less savory entrails and offal in this modern, meatless revival. Tender yet toothsome flageolet beans, plump and creamy, are the real stars of this show. Although you could substitute white navy beans in a pinch, I’d implore you to seek out the genuine article first. Their texture is unrivaled, and the way they drink in the umami broth, rich with wine and heady aromatics, cannot be beat.
Sounds like a dream-come-true for time-pressed cooks and voracious foodies alike, right? Well, wake up, because this delicious vision is about to become real. You can win your very own Souspreme Multi Pot to get this meal on the table, and still have ample time to play with all 17 other functions afterward, too. Read on to enter and snag the recipe! Trust me; you’ll want to save this one for easy reference.
Shiitake Cassoulet
Meaty shiitake mushrooms and dried beans are added directly to the pressure cooker without any need to soak. Tender yet toothsome flageloet beans, plump and creamy, are the real stars of this show. Although you could substitute white navy beans in a pinch, I'd implore you to seek out the genuine article first. Their texture is unrivaled, and the way they drink in the umami broth, rich with wine and heady aromatics, cannot be beat.
Ingredients
Cassoulet
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Large Red Onion, Quartered and Sliced
- 2 Carrots, Scrubbed and Sliced
- 2 Stalks Celery, Diced
- 6 - 8 Cloves Garlic, Sliced
- 1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
- 1 1/2 Cups Flageloet or Navy Beans
- 4 Cups Water
- 10 Whole Dried Shiitake Mushroom Caps, Stems Removed
- 5 - 6 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 2 Whole Bay Leaves
- 1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Bread Topping:
- 2 Ounces Baguette or French Bread, Cubed in 1/2-Inch Pieces
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/4 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Begin by coating the bottom of the pot with oil and set the multi pot to cook on the SAUTE function. Once it reaches temperature, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring periodically, until lightly browned and aromatic; 8 - 10 minutes.
- Quickly deglaze with the white win, scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure nothing sticks. Simmer for 4 minutes.
- Add in the beans, water, mushrooms, thyme bay leaves, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and lock the lid. Turn the pressure release valve to SEAL.
- Press the MEAT/STEW button on the multi pot. P30 (30 minutes) will show on the LED display. The program will begin after a few seconds.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Toss the bread cubes, oil, paprika, and salt together in a large bowl to evenly coat. Transfer to a baking sheet, spreading the pieces out in an even layer. Toast for about 10 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside.
- When cooking is complete, the multi pot will beep. Allow the pressure to fall naturally for 15 minutes before opening up the steam value to release the rest.
- To serve, remove and discard the spend thyme and bay leaves. Ladle the cassoulet into individual bowls and top with toasted bread, as desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Replace the wine with vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic option.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 499 Total Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 15g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 889mg Carbohydrates: 65g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 17g Sugar: 5g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 17g
This review was made possible as a collaboration with Fissler. My opinions can not be bought and all content is original. This page may contain affiliate links; thank you for supporting my blog!
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