Food Safety Blogs

“How long has this turkey been in the fridge?” “Are these mashed potatoes still good?” “Will this stuffing last until Christmas?”These are common questions you might hear echoing from the kitchen after the holidays. Sharing food with family and friends makes great memories, but no one wants to...

What are your favorite nuts and seeds? Maybe pecans or walnuts? Sunflower or pumpkin seeds? Fortunately, no matter your favorites, nuts are a nutritious choice!NutritionNutritionally, 1/4 cup of most nuts and seeds - or 2 Tablespoons nut butter - contains 14-18g fat, 5-7g protein, 2-4g fiber,...

Although National Pepper Month is celebrated in November, sweet and hot peppers are coming out of gardens and farmers markets in mid- and late-summer here in Illinois. While the peppers are peak quality, I'll enjoy them fresh as a...

Memorial Day is often seen as the unofficial kickoff to summer. And what better way to celebrate than pulling out the grill and inviting friends and family over for a cookout? Grilling is a great way to keep your kitchen cool and enjoy the classic summer favorites like burgers, grilled chicken,...

Water is amazing, right! Human bodies contain around 60% water; it's part of our natural environment from weather to watersheds; and we need water for our...

Eggs are a tasty and easy-to-prepare source of protein. But when storing and handling them safely, you might have some questions. How long do eggs last in the fridge? If an egg floats, does that mean it’s bad? Can you freeze eggs? Let’s crack open some common egg safety questions!How long...

There are more varieties you can grow and buy, but the main winter squashes I see sold in grocery stores and from farm stands around me are butternut, spaghetti, and acorn squashes.  Acorn squashes are typically small, and if...

"I have more eggs in the summer than I know what to do with," said a community member calling into my office. If you have backyard chickens, there might come a time when you have more eggs than your household will eat. Let's talk about some...

How foods are prepared and the part of the food you eat makes a difference in enjoyment. Beets are an excellent example, since we can eat from root to stalk. For me, cooked beets are not a go-to food. (Except the Chocolate Beet Snack Cake in this post.) What I like from beets are the beet greens...

Slow cookers, commonly known by one of the brand names Crock-pot®, are a popular kitchen appliance used to make a variety of soups, stews, desserts, or one-pot meals. One common ingredient in soups and stews is kidney beans. Purchasing dry beans and soaking them at home is an excellent way to save...