I’m sure you all have heard about the latest do-it-all pot, better known as the Instant Pot. Currently, the Instant Pot is the No. 1 selling brand on Amazon.com, with one of the highest overall customer ratings.

The Instant Pot is the hottest new craze for making home-cooked meals in minutes. It was developed to meet the needs of consumers with active, busy, healthy, and environmentally conscious lifestyles.

During my next Lunch and Learn on April 17, you will learn about the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, serving as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, saute/searing pan, steamer and warming pot all in one convenient small electric appliance.

If you are interested in attending this session, you may sign up until April 10. Space is limited, and registration is required. The cost of this session is $10; you will need to come by the office to signup and pay. If you call ahead to reserve a spot, please do your very best to attend.

This is the first of the 2018 Lunch and Learn Series which will run through August. Each session will be $10 . Or, if you would like to register for all five sessions, you can at a discounted price of $40.

Other sessions

Here is a list of future L&L sessions:

• May 15 – Cauliflower & Cabbage

• June 19 – Healthy & Homemade

• July 17 – How Sweet It Is: Desserts

• August 21 – Cheeses

At each session, participants will receive a sampling of food, recipes and other educational materials.

The classes will be held at Rowan County Agricultural Center, located at 2727 Old Concord Road. There is a limit of 20 people per session and once that limit has been reached, all others will be placed on a waiting list for future sessions.

Mediterranean food

Also, there is still time to sign up for Med Instead of Meds. The Med Instead of Meds way will introduce the Mediterranean diet and incorporate the basics of healthy eating — plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps a glass of red wine — among other components, characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Classes are from April 11 – May 16, 6-7:30 p.m. and the cost of the six-session series will be $30. If interested in learning more, give me a call or stop by. Registration is still open.

Toi N. Degree, is family and  consumer education agent with North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Contact her at 704-216-8970 or toi_degree@ncsu.edu.