Curried Chickpea stuffed Acorn Squash, all made in a Pressure cooker. One Pot meal! Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free.
You know whats the fun part of using a pressure cooker? Everything is faster and energy efficient. As an Indian, I have my requisite set of stove top pressure cookers (read 4 or 5 per Indian household).
Pressure cookers have come a long way from the just the manual control and stove top, to highly programmable, safe, blue tooth controllable, electric, multi-functional, multi pressure Instant Pot!.Instant Pot is fast becoming a household name with innumerable options and ease. If you haven’t tried pressure cooking, let 2015 be the year to add that to the to do list!
Today, I cook up chickpeas and brown rice stew in a pressure cooker and also throw in the acorn squash in a steamer basket. So everything gets cooked up together and is ready in 25 minutes! The squash cooks up perfectly in the pressure cooker. No hours of baking needed. Stuff the squash with the cooked chickpea and brown rice stew and serve! One Pot meal with chickpeas, brown rice, greens and squash!
More pressure cooker recipes from the blog.
- Dal Makhani- Black Gram Lentils Soup
- Dal Baati – Pigeon Pea Soup with Stuffed Pastries.
- Bisi Bele Bath Pressure Cooker Split Pea Brown Rice Soup
- Sprouted Mung Bean Dal Soup. Sabut Hari Moong Dahl. Vegan…
- Chana Masala – Chickpea Curry with Red Bell Pepper
- Black Eyed Pea and Lentil Soup with Sriracha Tadka
If using cooked chickpeas cook the stew for 12 to 14 minutes. You can also chop up the squash into chunks and cook with the stew.
The chickpeas need to be soaked because I am adjusting the cooking time depending on the squash and brown rice. If you use unsoaked chickpeas, the squash will become a mush in the 35 minute cooking time :).
I generally cook my beans and split peas in a Pressure cooker. It takes the guess work out of the time needed. Freshly cooked beans also produce less gas, if you know what I mean 🙂
Any of the split peas or chickpeas also do well in pressure cooker. Split peas are notorious for taking 3 to 4 times the cooking time mentioned for a saucepan, if they are old!
Recipe Card
Pressure Cooker Curried Chickpea stuffed Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (123 g) dry chickpeas about 1 3/4 cup when soaked
- 1/4 cup (47.5 g) brown rice washed and soaked for half an hour
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
- 1 small acorn squash halved and seeds removed
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) cumin seeds
- 1/2 cup (70 g) chopped red onion
- 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
- 1/2 inch (0.5 inch) ginger minced
- 1 green chili minced
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) turmeric
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) garam masala
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) dry mango powder amchur or use 1/2 tsp more lime juice
- 2 small tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) lime juice
- 1 cup (40 g) loosely packed chopped greens like rainbow chard or spinach
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) or more salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne
- cilantro paprika and black pepper for garnish
Instructions
- Soak the chickpeas overnight, soak the brown rice for atleast half an hour(about the time needed to prep).
- In a pressure cooker, add oil and heat over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds and cook until they change color and get fragrant. about a minute.
- Add onions, garlic, ginger and chili and a good pinch of salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until translucent.
- Add spices and mix well for a few seconds. Add tomato, lime juice, and greens, cook until the tomatoes are saucy. 4 to 5 minutes. Add a splash of water to deglaze if needed in between. Add in salt, cayenne, chickpeas, rice and 2 cups water. Mix well.
- Depending on the size of the pressure cooker and squash, you can add one half or both halves of the squash to the cooker. Place squash in a steamer basket or steamer plate (or any kind of holder which has space to allow the steam to circulate) over the chickpea mixture. Close the lid and cook over medium high heat until the (high) pressure is reached. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid, Carefully remove the steamer basket. Taste and adjust the chickpea rice stew. Taste and adjust salt and spice. Generously fill the squash with the chickpea rice mixture, garnish with cilantro and black pepper and serve.
- Note: If the chickpeas are not cooked to preference. Cover the cooker (dont lock the lid) and cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Notes
Bake the squash: Spray the squash halfs with oil. sprinkle with salt, pepper and garam masala and Bake at 400 degrees F for about an hour. Serve stuffed with chickpea stew. Nutritional values based on one serving
Nutrition
Marie
I’ve never used a pressure cooker, but the idea of being able to cook dried beans more quickly than on the stovetop or in the crockpot is attractive. I think I would eat more legumes if they were not something that needed a half-a-day of lead time.
Jessica Piekenbrock
I don’t have one now but I am very interested in it for the ability to buy dried beans, rice etc. and be able to make big batches of them to have on hand. Much cheaper and a bit healthier too 🙂
Krista
I have an Instant Pot and use it several times a week, and I often honestly wish I had a second one so I could cook two things at once! Also, my Instant Pot doesn’t have the yogurt feature so I would really love to try that out.
Maya
I use a pressure cooker to cook brown rice and beans and lentils. I like it because it’s so fast!
Amanda T.
I would love to own an Instant Pot for the convenience factor. I am a big fan of 30 minutes meals especially since don’t get home from work until after 6 p.m. and then have to provide dinner for my kids. The chickpea stuffed acorn squash looks delicious by the way.
debbie
I don’t use one but I see them use them on food network and I’d love to be able to get more flavor from my food in a shorter time.
Yoojin
i don’t own a pressure cooker but would love one to start cooking with! i love that you can cook anything super fast & its convenience 🙂
Laura
It’s been over 25 years since I’ve used a pressure cooker! I had the misfortune of it blowing up on me and my lovely kitchen turned into a bath of veggies and stew meat ( I wasn’t vegan at the time). I’m sure they are a lot safer now and would love to own one again.
Love your site & all the recipes I’ve tried have been so good! Keep up the great work.
Debbie
I don’t have a pressure cooker. In the past, I’ve always been a little bit afraid of them. I love the idea of cooking beans quickly. The Instant Pot looks amazing.
Mani
My aunt gave us a pressure cooker for our wedding! I’ve used it to make lobhiya, my absolute favorite bean dish. and we use it to make daal. A wifi enabled cooker like instant pot sounds awesome.
Melissa K.
I alternate between pressure cooking and slow cooking. See how this instant pot might be useful….it does both!
Emily
I’ve never used a pressure cooker, but I’m intrigued at how quickly they can cook beans!
Carol S
I currently don’t use a pressure cooker. Cooking is a family affair in my household and some of our greatest memories are made in the kitchen. The only issue we have is how time consuming some recipes can be. We eat a lot of rice (the perfect side dish lol) which takes about 25-30 minutes and the waiting is no fun. I like that cooking with a pressure cooker saves time and maintains the quality of the food. Lovely recipe by the way.
Carol S
I currently don’t use a pressure cooker. Cooking is a family affair in my household and some of our greatest memories are made in the kitchen. The only issue we have is how time consuming some recipes can be. We eat a lot of rice (the perfect side dish lol) which takes about 25-30 minutes and the waiting is no fun. I like that cooking with a pressure cooker saves time and maintains the quality of the food.
Jenny K
I do not use a pressure cooker, but I am definitely interested in cutting down the cooking time when I make beans
Erin
I don’t have one but I’m interested in trying it for cooking beans
Hannah
I used my electric pressure cooker so much that I loved it to death! The cords got so worn out that they pretty much pulled out of the base, causing sparks and threatening to start a fire when I turned it on. Now I need to replace it… And would sure love to upgrade to the Instant Pot. I’ve heard really good things about it all around.
Laura
I’ve never used one before but have heard great things. That recipe looks amazing!
Mae
This is a really unique recipe, and it all sounds so amazing! I LOOOVE winter squash. I have never used a pressure cooker before. I love trying new things, so it would be awesome to have one and use it. If I had all the money in the world, I’d buy every kitchen appliance I could imagine!
Rachel
I don’t use a pressure cooker now, but it appeals to me because it looks simple!
muzikpixie
I do use my pressure cooker now, but I would love to use am instant pot to make whole meals!
karen
I have never used one. Not sure I’ve ever even seen one! I’m curious about trying it to cook dried beans quickly.
VeggieTown
Looks delicious and healthy! Thanks for sharing!
Karen D
I love the convenience of using a pressure cooker, but have never used an electric one. Sure want to try, though.
RRD
All my friends have one and rave about it. Would be great if I could get one. Thanks for the giveaway!
Laura H
I do not use a pressure cooker, but I would love one! Especially a programmable one so that you can start it in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home from work 🙂
Alison H.
I have never used a pressure cooker simply because I don’t know how to.
chill
What a great way to supplement a busy life with a good home cooked meal when you return home!
Terri Cole
I have been using an Instant Pot for over a year and I love it. My one big regret was not waiting to get the one with the yogurt function. If I win this, I will give the one I have to my daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!
Cecilia
I totally like to use my pressure cooker and I’m always searching for new recipes. Your recipe sounds totally delicious, I will try it. Thanks for sharing.
Karen Burrow
This recipe looks great! I have really wanted to add an Instant Pot to my kitchen as I am afraid of the manual kind:)
KevinSchu
I use a pressure cooker all the time to cook dried beans. I love it but my current one is in need of a replacement.
Anna Maria
I use my electric multi-cooker almost daily. It is fabulous for cooking beans, soups, rice, beets, stock, and much much more. I couldn’t live without it now! I still have a traditional pressure cooker but rarely cook in it. I mostly use it to transport big soups or stews to potlucks.
jef
I used a pressure cooker long ago and would like to re-introduce it now that I have a family, for health reasons
snavlad
I’ve never used a pressure cooker but have wanted one for a long time. I love the idea of being able to pressure cook which results in better steamed food, and quicker! My other half pushes me not to purchase one as he feels it’s a waste of money as we can steam food without one and there’s no reason we can’t spend extra time waiting on our food to cook! He can’t say no if I happen to win one, RIGHT?!?!?
Julie (A Case of the Runs)
I haven’t used a pressure cooker, although with a new baby it’s something I want to explore so that I don’t have to spend forever cooking!
Joy
I do not use a Pressure Cooker, but am interested in using one to make the CURRIED CHICKPEA STUFFED ACORN SQUASH!
Tami@NutmegNotebook
I do use a pressure cooker and love how easy and fast it is!
Carley wilson
Enter me in to the contest!! I would love to get a new kitchen gaget! Especially so I can try thi recipe out!
Teresa Kopel
I have a stovetop pressure cooker but have only used it a couple times. With an Instantpot, I could set it and go walk my dog and dinner would be ready when I got home! I also can’t find any unsweetened vegan yogurt here and would love to make my own!
Jennifer d
I’ve never used one but would love to learn.we eat a lot of beans and I’ve heard they are great for that!
Analuna
Hi Richa- I love your blog. I am interested in a pressure cooker not for me, but for the love of my life! AJ loves to cook (he taught me about 85% of what I know about cooking!) but he recently started a new job working on a farm, and he has long hours and it’s hard physical work. He comes home so tired every day, but as we don’t live together and as I am a full-time student it’s hard for me to help him out! He’s started to cook less and less for dinner, which is sad because cooking is one of his passions. A pressure cooker would be a great thing to make his meals a little easier when he comes home and I think it would make transitioning to this new job considerably better! Thanks so much.
Cynthia
Haven’t yet tried a pressure cooker, but I like the idea of of using different cooking methods. Thanks for the giveaway!
Dara Zeehandelaar
I don’t have one yet, so looking forward to everything I can do!
Marie
I wanted a light supper last night and had cooked chick peas in the freezer. The taste of this filling is addictive. I didn’t have squash, so just made dinner in a bowl. Delicious.
Your recipes are always tasty and nutritious. Keep going girl. Love your work.
Marie
Richa
yay! so glad you made it and loved it!
Nicollette D
I have never used a pressure cooker because I’m scared of them! It’s so old school, I know! This recipe is some motivation to get over it.
Liz
2015 was the year for me to get a pressure cooker! I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but am loving it. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe next!
Patricia Ann
Yes, I’ve used an old school pressure cooker for about 10 years. I like it best for making soups.
Susan
Yes, I have après sure cooker and love it. I am looking for recipes like these, a whole meal at one time! Can’t wait to try this!
jody
I’ve got an old school pressure cooker with the gurgles, rattles and whistle. I’ll use it for beans and occasionally rice. I should be more adventurous and a newer replacement with all those extra features would definitely help with that.