Pressure Cooker Asian Style Chinese Boiled Peanuts are beautifully fragrant and nicely spicy. They are a street food in China.
Pressure Cooker Asian Chinese Boiled Peanuts
Being from the South, well, Miami, Florida, it’s not surprising that I’ve loved Southern Style Boiled Peanuts since I was a kid. These Pressure Cooker Asian Style Chinese Boiled Peanuts are just as delicious and are a little sweet and a little spicy.
I think the first time I tasted Boiled Peanuts, was when I was working at Rocking Horse Ranch, in Ocala, Florida. I was just 13 and Mel Moussa, who owned RHR, invited me to live in her home and work at her ranch. It was the best summer of my life.
I met Mel and her daughter, Sylvia, while at Camp Ocala, which was a summer camp, and rode at the Ranch at least three times a week. Because I was one of the top riders in the Camp, Mel used to sneak me, Claudia and Elsie, out of camp for special events at the Ranch to participate in horse shows and special riding events.
Sylvia was a little spitfire and loved to show the kids, older and younger than her, the ropes. Sylvia now has grown children of her own, but I still remember the little, barefoot girl, with a big attitude. I miss hanging out with Sylvia, David (one of the Ranch professionals) and all the ranch hands! I think of those days quite often.
Cast of Ingredients for Pressure Cooker Asian Chinese Boiled Peanuts
If you drive across the state through Yee Haw Junction, you’ll find plenty of road side stands selling the hot and salty treat in brown bags.
I’m told that Spiced Boiled Peanuts are one of the common street foods in China. Since I love Vietnamese Pho, which is a Vietnamese noodle soup, I figured I would like Chinese Boiled Peanuts, since it has some of the same spices, including Cinnamon Sticks and Star Anise, which I love.
The above ingredients will yield a sweet-ish flavor, so if you want a more distinct sweet flavor, add a piece of rock sugar. A few dried chili peppers add a nice kick, if you so desire.
Rinse the peanuts well and remove any twigs or anything that is not a peanut.
This RSVP Stainless Steel Basket fits nicely inside all brands of electric Pressure Cookers. For six quart Pressure Cookers, you will need to pry off the handles, which is simple.
Yum, doesn’t that look good? If you don’t have or can’t find Rock Sugar, just use whatever sweetener you like, sugar, honey, agave, sugar substitute. The Pressure Cooker Asian Style Chinese Boiled Peanuts will take on a nice sweetness.
Peanuts float, so after filling your Pressure Cooker with water, place a plate or trivet on the top to hold them down. I like my peanuts mostly soft, with just a bit of a bite, so I cook for 80 minutes.
Some people like the peanuts super soft and other like a bit of firmness. Start with 60 minutes and then add increments of 10 until you find your personal preference.
I like to leave the Pressure Cooker Asian Style Chinese Boiled Peanuts in the cooking water and take them out with a strainer, as needed. If you like these, you might want to try my Southern Style Boiled Peanuts.
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Instant Pot DUO 6 Quart
- J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Alton Brown Salt Box
- My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
- Salbree Steamer Basket
- Fine stainless steel mesh strainer
- Star Anise
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Rock Sugar
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Here is the handy printable recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 pound Jumbo Raw Peanuts
- 3 Whole Star Anise
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 3 Cloves Fresh Garlic
- 3 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
- 1 chunk Rock Sugar optional
- 4 Dried Red Chili Peppers
Instructions
- Rinse peanuts under cool water and remove any twigs, roots, whatever doesn't belong.
Pressure Cooker
- Add peanuts and all ingredients to your Pressure Cooker cooking pot and cover with water. Place a plate or trivet on top to hold down the peanuts.
- Lock on lid and close Pressure Valve.
- Cook on High Pressure for 60-80 minutes.
- When Beep is heard, allow all pressure to release naturally and let sit 30 minutes.
Slow Cooker
- Cook on HIGH for 10 hours.
Stove Top
- In large stock pot, add peanuts, seasonings and water and bring to boil. Cover and set heat to low. Simmer for 3.5 hours, or until desired tenderness.
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Pressure Cooker Asian Style Chinese Boiled Peanuts
