- The base of the Turbo Cooker contains the liquid called for in a recipe. The liquid creates steam, which is the primary method by which the Turbo Cooker prepares food. Most Turbo Cooker recipes call for one cup of liquid in the base. You can almost always use water with which to steam-fry or steam-broil foods such as meat, fish or vegetables, steam-bake desserts or entrees and steam-cook a number of other dishes. However, if you want to enhance the flavor of a meal, you can substitute the water with another liquid, such as stock, wine, beer or citrus juice.
Place the Turbo Cooker base onto a medium or large stove-top burner. Pour liquid carefully into the base to avoid spilling or splashing it onto the burner. Do not turn on the burner until you have secured the grill plate onto the base. - The Turbo Cooker grill plate is reversible, so you can choose to use the side that best suits your cooking needs. One side is a grill. The grill is the best option for cooking meat, fish or poultry as well as most vegetables, as the grooves on this side of the plate lift foods up and away from the natural juices that escape them during cooking.
The opposite side of the Turbo Cooker grill plate is a smooth griddle. You can use this side of the plate to cook items such as eggs, potato skins, pancakes, frozen fish sticks, pizzas, sandwiches or other items that you would bake or cook on a flat surface in a traditional oven.
Once you have determined which side to use, place the grill plate with that side up into the center of the base. Place the dome cover over the Turbo Cooker and allow it to heat for at least three minutes before adding food. - Use the steam rack when you want to keep food items, such as dinner rolls or tortillas, warm while cooking your main dish. You can also use it to steam precooked or frozen vegetables.
Keep an eye on the liquid in the base when you are steaming foods, as well as recipes that call for longer cooking times, such as roasts or whole potatoes. If more liquid is required, add hot liquid using a baster or liquid measuring cup with a small spout. Carefully pour the hot liquid through the holes on the external area of the grill plate.