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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

Healthy Cooking

Stack of feta cheese blocks on a plate beside a bowl of sugar. Contains orange I block logo and Illinois Extension wordmark.

Jump into Mediterranean cooking with feta cheese

As part of Mediterranean cuisine, feta cheese is used in a wide variety of dishes. Originally from Greece, feta cheese is made with sheep’s milk, but may also contain up to 30% goat’s milk. However, most of the feta cheese made and sold here in the United States is made from cow’s milk, certainly...
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Bowl of tan-colored bulgur with a spoon, with some of the bulgur spilled on the table. Contains orange I block logo and Illinois Extension wordmark.

Bulgur is a convenient whole grain source

Bulgur wheat may not be the most common grain in the grocery store, but it’s about time we gave this whole grain a try. Bulgur starts with wheat berries, the raw, simplest form of wheat. These kernels are then hulled, partially cooked, and dried before packaging. Unlike wheat berries, which may...
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Pair sliced in half, with one half facing forward and the other half facing backward, set on a white tablecloth. Contains Illinois Extension wordmark and orange "I" logo.

When eating the rainbow, don't forget white and brown foods

As a registered dietitian nutritionist, we often tell people to “eat the rainbow.” There is good reason for this as it’s a reminder to include a variety of foods in our diet, especially produce that is deep and dark in color. It is true that many darkly colored foods, offer a large amount of...
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Three cinnamon sticks stacked over a pile of ground cinnamon on a dark table. Contains an Illinois Extension wordmark and orange I logo.

Enjoy the delectable taste of cinnamon

Cinnamon is my absolute favorite spice; it’s my go-to candle scent, my favorite flavor of gum, and it’s generally the largest spice container in my spice cabinet. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of various species of Cinnamomum trees. Ceylon cinnamon is known as “true cinnamon” but the cinnamon...
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Woman cutting into a whole chicken on a platter. Measuring cups behind the platter. Contains an orange I logo and Illinois Extension wordmark

Benefits of buying a whole chicken

Buying a whole chicken, rather than its individual parts, offers many potential benefits. However, to some people, even the mere thought of reaching into a dead bird’s carcass to pull out the liver, heart and gizzards is enough to put the brakes on and reach for the more convenient, less “icky”...
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A garlic press on top of a table with fifteen to twenty cloves of garlic behind it. Includes an orange I and Illinois Extension woodmark.

Top five must-have kitchen gadgets

Most self-proclaimed foodies, like myself, will collect all sorts of kitchen gadgets. Over the years, I’ve learned which kitchen tools are indispensable, and which kitchen tools sit in the drawer unused. Here’s a list of my top five must-haves: Food thermometer- have you ever...
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Overhead view of a cup of tea

How to brew homemade chai

What’s a non-coffee drinker to drink from the local café? Chai has become a popular beverage for those looking for an alternative to coffee. While our western culture refers to it as “chai tea,” in India we are drinking masala chai. “Chai” is the Hindi word for tea, while “masala” refers to spice....
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A sliced orange in front of a whole orange

Find oranges at their peak during winter months

While oranges are a citrus fruit that can be found all year long, they peak over the winter months. This is a time where you can usually find more variety of oranges and at a lower cost than in off season months. Navel oranges are the most popular, likely due to their sweetness and their being...
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Roasted carrots and potatoes on a baking sheet

Maillard reactions change the tastes of your food

You may remember learning about the Maillard reaction in science class at school. You probably didn’t know it then, but the Maillard reaction is something you see or use every day. It’s what makes food so delicious, turning bread into toast, giving broccoli a sweeter flavor when roasted, producing...
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Array of fruits, meats, nuts, and cheese on a charcuterie board

Eight food ideas for your holiday charcuterie board

It’s all the rage right now. Charcuterie (pronounced shar-koo-tuh-ree) boards are the latest conversational piece at the holiday party. In the simplest terms, it’s a tray loaded with all sorts of finger foods, commonly eaten as an appetizer. Think cured meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, veggies,...
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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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