Pressure cooker stew!

 Now that I'm officially a 'sports-mom,' (please see my former post on our new status as a hunting family!), I need a good way to use up all that venison we now own, what better way than a hearty venison stew on a cold, dreary November afternoon, hunting or not, ready in a relative jiff thanks to the pressure cooker!  But you can use pork or beef too.  The veggies and broth and seasoning are also completely modifiable.  You can go from raw meat and veggies to savory, thick stew in about an hour or less (5 minutes to sautés the meat and onions, 15 minutes to build up to pressure, 10 minutes to cook, 15 minutes for natural release) instead of several hours or even all day!

1-2 pounds pork, beef, or venison cut into 1" cubes

1 pound potatoes (skin on or peeled, as desired) cubed

1 pound carrots cut into bite size pieces

1 small onion, chopped

1 stalk celery cut up into bite size pieces

2 cups beef broth

2-3 Tbsp soy or Worcestershire sauce

2-3 Tbsp oil

salt, garlic pepper, basil, thyme, parsley, etc. to taste

1-2 cups water, if needed

3-4 Tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water (mix together after cooking is finished and add to hot broth) 

Could also add tomato sauce or canned tomatoes, garlic, peppers, etc. with the root veggies, add soft/already tender veggies like peas or mushrooms or corn with the cornstarch, stir in after cooking!

Either in the pressure cooker pan or on the stove top (if yours isn't so equipped), sauté the meat and onion (and garlic if using) in oil until browned on all sides.  Scrape up all the drippings and brown bits and make sure it gets into the pressure cooker pot.  Add all ingredients except cornstarch/water and tender/delicate veggies (if using) and mix.  The extra water is if you need more liquid to make your pressure cooker run, the liquid should only come 2/3 of the way up veggies/meat, you don't want to dilute the flavor!  Season as desired and close the lid.  Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, then allow to sit for 15-25 minutes before opening the valve.  Once you open the pressure cooker stir in the cornstarch/water and any tender veggies, stir and close the lid for a few minutes to activate the cornstarch.  Open the lid and stir well, should be ready to serve!