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Tag: Holidays

Eggnog Tips for Ringing in the New Year!

EggnogPhoto: Canva.com
Eggnog Photo: Canva.com

As we turn the calendar to a new year, many are planning to celebrate with New Year’s Eve parties. One festive beverage commonly served is eggnog made with raw eggs. Here are some tips to safely ring in the new year and keep Salmonella bacteria away from your party.

  • Alcohol does not kill bacteria. Heat is the only way to kill bacteria.
  • Adding hot coffee to eggnog made with raw eggs will not make it safe. When adding cold eggnog to hot coffee, the temperature drops too much. The best tip is to cook the eggnog to a minimum 160°F to kill Salmonella.
  • Store-bought eggnog is pasteruized and is a safe alternative to raw egg eggnog recipes. This heats the eggs to a high temperature for a short time to kill any bacteria that may be present.
  • Use egg substitutes or pasteurized eggs in place of raw eggs.

Making your own eggnog? Cook the eggs in part of the milk, along with other ingredients to make a hot custard mixture. Heat gently in a large heavy saucepan or double boiler, to prevent scorching, to a minimum 160°F. Chill this mixture and add other ingredients before serving. Here’s a recipe from the American Egg Board.

Happy New Year!

Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2021/12/busting-eggnog-myths-for-new-years-eve-safety/

 

Last Minute Food Gifts!

kitchen giftsGifts from the kitchen are popular and can be easy gifts for guests, neighbors, co-workers and others. Here are some resources to put together a quick gift in a jar from soup mixes to cookie mixes.

As always, use safe food handling practices for your gifts. Wash your hands. Use clean containers and equipment. Be sure the closure fits well to prevent damage or spills. Don’t forget to add the instructions to the container!

The Cost of Holiday Cooking and Baking

holiday cookies
Happy Holidays!
Photo: Canva.com

It is no secret that the price of groceries has increased this year. In fact, the cost of food at home has increased 13 percent from this time last year. Reasons include production disruption by Mother Nature to supply/demand.

The recent Avian Influenza infection in poultry has led to the loss of at least 49 million commercially raised poultry. Therefore, eggs for baking and holiday turkeys will be more expensive.

Consumers are using more butter because of the desire to use natural foods. Butter is used in many baked goods so be prepared to pay the price as it has almost doubled from last year.

Will the higher costs dampen your holiday spirit? Be a smart shopper to help save some money. Study grocery ads for sale prices and buy a few extra if you can. Share those savings with others who may not have the time to shop.

For holiday meals, share the expense by asking guests to provide a menu item. Plan the menu now to take advantage of sale prices. Consider a progressive meal as a group and travel to each others homes for different stages of the meal. And the holidays don’t always have to be a full meal. Keep it simple with other activities and less food for a cost savings and less stress.

Sources: www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf and University of Minnesota Extension

 

Prepared Turkey Dinner Safety Tips

Save time and stress by ordering a prepared holiday dinner. Here some tips.

  • If picked up or delivered hot, keep the temperature above 140°F and eat within two hours.
  • If holding turkey longer than two hours, remove stuffing from turkey cavity, cut into smaller pieces and refrigerate. Reheat to 165°F.
  • If it is cooked and chilled, keep it cold. Serve within two days. If buying a whole turkey, divide it, keep cold, then follow directions to reheat. Do not reheat a whole turkey.

Go to the USDA Turkey from Farm to Table website for more information.

Raise a Safe Glass of Eggnog for New Year’s Eve

eggnog
Eggnog—Photo: Canva.com

Eggnog is a holiday party classic that dates back to the 13th century. This creamy, thick, spiced egg drink is a favorite for many worldwide.

Because eggnog uses eggs, there are ways to make it safely to prevent giving the gift of foodborne illness. And don’t let the added alcohol fool you! The alcohol will not kill bacteria.

Instead of using raw eggs, use pasteurized eggs. They have been commercially pasteurized with a low temperature heat treatment that destroys Salmonella without changing the physical and nutritional properties of the eggs. They are slightly higher in cost to standard eggs, but are worth the price to prevent foodborne illness. Egg substitutes are also an option.

Another, and even safer, method is to make a cooked egg base.

  1. Combine eggs and half the milk. Sugar may be added also.
  2. Cook the mixture to 160°F, stirring constantly. Use a double boiler to prevent scorching.
  3. After cooking, pour into a bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill.
  4. Add remaining ingredients and enjoy!

If buying prepared eggnog, read the label to be sure it is pasteurized.

Sources: https://bit.ly/3yoWJzX and https://eggsafety.org/national-eggnog-month-make-safely/

Have a Healthy Holiday Season!

Take these steps to be safe and healthy during the holidays.

Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It’s flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.

Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

Get inspired with 12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season.

 

Healthy Holiday Cooking

Apple crisp
Apple Crisp Photo: Canva.com

Holiday party planning is in full gear to celebrate with family and friends. But all the tasty goodies can add more fat and sugar to your diet plan. With planning and simple ingredient swaps, you can still have tasty treats.

Instead of a sweet potato casserole, try roasting sweet potatoes with other root vegetables to reduce fat, sugar and calories. Replace sugar in sweet potato casseroles with some 100% orange juice to add flavor and reduce sugar content.

Do you struggle making pie crust? Make a crustless pumpkin pie or an apple crisp instead. It saves you time and reduces the fat content without a crust.

Get more ideas in Focus on the “Stars”: Cooking Healthy for the Holidays from K-State Research and Extension.

Recipes featured in this fact sheet can be found in the Leader’s Guide.

 

Mailing Food Gifts Safely

Mailing foodReceiving food gifts can be a treat during the holidays. But not if they are not safe to eat.

Many food businesses ship food, including perishable food, and should be done overnight if possible. These foods must be kept cold. If there is any evidence of tampering, the temperature of the food is above 40°F, or anything else suspicious, do not consume and contact the company.

Shipping food yourself? Use a sturdy box, frozen gel pack or dry ice, label clearly, and be sure to notify the recipient it is on the way.

Many other tips can be found at Mail Order Food Safety from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

Food Safety for Holiday Meals

The holidays are almost here! Start planning now for menus, number of guests, and other details.

Keep food safety in mind to keep the uninvited guest of foodborne illness from ruining a great meal.

The basics of cook, chill, clean and separate should guide your meal preparation, serving and clean up. Use a thermometer to verify doneness of meats, casseroles and other dishes.

Many resources can be found in the Holidays section of the KSRE Extension Food Safety website. The publication At-Home Safe Food Handling: It’s in Your Hands is a concise guide to safe food handling.

Candy and the Winter Holidays

Winter Holidays CandyWinter holidays bring to mind sweet treats to celebrate and savor. Here are some tips for enjoying these festive treats.

  • Don’t prohibit, use portion control! Look for smaller packages or individually wrapped treats to slow consumption. Emphasizing restriction can actually increase the desire to eat more. Candy can be a part of a balanced diet.
  • Stay active to burn calories. Winter activities such as building a snowman, making snow angels or sledding can burn off candy calories. Plus, some fresh air is good for the mind and body.
  • Mint is a popular winter flavor. It can also help eliminate “mask breath.” Mint flavors can also curb your craving for an extra appetizer or two!
  • Savor the flavor of chocolate and other candy. Try putting a piece of chocolate in your mouth and let it melt instead of chewing. It will bring out the many flavors of chocolate and helps you savor the flavor.

Source: https://bit.ly/2LMF9C5