If you received an electric pressure cooker for Christmas or are thinking about getting one, read on for information about an upcoming program. There is certainly a lot of hype about these appliances that come in a variety of sizes and can be programmed to complete many different functions. The standard size is a 6-quart capacity that can be programmed to be a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, egg cooker, saute’, steamer, warmer and even sterilizer.
Pressure cookers have been around a long time. According to Wikipedia pressure cooking is described as the process of cooking food, using water or other cooking liquid, in a sealed vessel known as a pressure cooker. Pressure is created by boiling a liquid, such as water or broth, inside the closed pressure cooker. The trapped steam increases the internal pressure and allows the temperature to rise, cooking food in a shorter time period than traditional methods.
I have enlisted the help of Erin Petersilie, Family and Consumer Science Agent for the Walnut Creek Extension District, to share her expertise with the newer version of the electric pressure cookers. The class will cover several of the functions as well as how to make cheesecake and even bread in your pressure cooker. Terms like “natural pressure release” and “quick pressure release” as well as food safety measures that need to take place to insure a safe product will also be covered. Erin is a busy career mom who has found the electric pressure cooker a great way to put a healthier meal on her family’s table in a short amount of time.
This free educational program is set for Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Public Library, 169 South Walnut Street. I would appreciate a quick phone call or e-mail if you are planning to attend. My phone number is: 620-793-1910 and email is dkrug@ksu.edu.
Residents of Ellis County had a chance to participate in a Pressure cooking workshop last November. The huge response tells me that we may want to provide another learning opportunity in the future.

Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.