Euro-Pro has taken the wraps off a new countertop appliance— the Ninja Cooking System, which combines heat contact from the bottom of the pot, direct heat from the sides, plus super-heated steam for what the company says is “faster and more even cooking.”

According to the company, with the Ninja Cooking System it's possible to make complete meals, layering the main course, vegetables, and pasta or rice inside the Ninja Cooking System pot in just 30 minutes, even from the freezer, cutting cooking times by as much as 30% to 50%.

"Our Ninja Cooking System does so much to make meal time easier, healthier and more fun," said Mark Rosenzweig, CEO of Euro-Pro.

The Ninja Cooking System's steam oven feature is said to cook faster and keeps moisture in and can be used to steam-bake cupcakes, cakes and more with half the butter or oil of conventional favorite recipes, according to the company.

At the core of the Ninja 3-in-1 Cooking System design is Ninja's exclusive Triple Fusion Heat technology, which combines heat contact from the bottom of the pot, direct heat from the sides, plus super-heated steam for faster and more even cooking.

In what the company says is another first, the Ninja Cooking System has both stovetop and slow-cook settings, allowing home cooks to sear and brown meats and vegetables before slow-cooking— without having to use a separate pan or move the pot to the stove. 

"The Ninja Cooking System is truly revolutionary," said Stephanie O'Dea, author of "A Year in Slow Cooking." "Using the stovetop setting, I can brown meat and caramelize onions before slow-cooking and, afterward, make a reduction sauce, all in one pot. The Ninja Cooking System lets me do so much in one easy-to-use and easy-to-clean appliance."

As O'Dea noted, the stovetop setting can also be used after slow-cooking to deglaze sauces, and to add delicate vegetables. The Ninja Cooking System's slow-cooker setting is programmable; set the cook time and the Ninja Cooking System automatically switches to a warming setting once cooking is complete. 

The Ninja Cooking System also features a professional grade, non-stick aluminum pot to distribute heat evenly and quickly, digital oven controls and a timer function to ensure cooking time accuracy.  The Ninja Cooking System is available at retailers in the U.S. and Canada.