The Rapid Response Center was formed in 1995 as a resource for Kansas State University Research & Extension Agents. Resource topics included Food Science, Human Nutrition, Food Service, Textiles, Home Care and other consumer topics. Since that time, the Center has grown to be of valuable assistance to Kansas State University Extension Specialists in those areas.
K-State Research & Extension will provide morel mushroom identification training in an upcoming online training. This training will help people earn the necessary approval to sell wild morel mushrooms.
The classes are intended to help ensure that wild harvested mushrooms sold as morels in the state of Kansas are safe to consume. Current regulations under the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety and lodging program require that mushrooms picked in the wild for sale must be individually inspected for safety by an approved mushroom identifier. Upon completion of this class, participants will be recognized as approved morel identifiers in order to meet this regulation.
The zoom link for accessing the training online will be sent the day before the training. The same training will be offered two different times, so participants can select which time works better for them.
The “Field to Fork Wednesday Weekly Webinars” will begin Feb. 21, 2024. The webinars will be held online from 2 to 3 p.m. Central Time through May 1. They also will be archived for later viewing; however, participating in the “live” webinar allows participants to interact with the presenter.
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.
The Home Baking Association encourages bakers of all all ages to share what you bake during the holidays!
A gift of home baked goodies is a thoughtful way to show someone you care at any occasion. It brings a smile and warms their hearts. So here are some reasons to bake to give:
Baked goods are cost effective. You can make a large batch of cookies and they can be divided into several gifts.
Customize the goodies to suit the recipient’s taste and preferences. Use their favorite colors, flavors and toppings!
Does there need to be a holiday? Not at all, just give to spread joy and bring people together.
The holidays are stressful enough, so it might not be the time to try new recipes. Stick to what you know for less stress and more success!
Add personal touches to the box or wrapping to add some sparkle!
Keep in mind these extra tips when baking to give:
Always practice safe food handling steps. Wash your hands before, during and after baking. Clean as you go to make final clean-up easier.
Consider dietary restrictions such as food allergens.
Don’t taste before you bake! Raw eggs and raw flour have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks. Remember to wash your hands after handling raw dough and batter.
Consider transportation. Decortive tin boxes are sturdy to prevent damage. Maybe give the gift a baking pan with the baked good. Serving trays are great food cookies and can be wrapped in plastic wrap.
Gifts 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!
There are thousands of cookie recipes in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and flavors. During the holidays, cookies are a special treat and everyone has a favorite. Let’s see how a traditional chocolate chip cookie can be altered for a different look.
Chocolate chip manufacturers have made special holiday shapes. Simply replace the regular chips with these fancy chips. Try adding some frosting and colored sprinkles for extra sparkle.
To change the texture and color, try these tips, one at a time, from the book CookWise by Shirley O. Corriher:
For More Spread
Use butter
Increase liquid 1-2 tablespoons
Increase sugar 1-2 tablespoons
Warm cold ingredients to room temperature, don’t refrigerate dough
Spread out the pet treats so they don’t gobble them up all at once.
Keep an eye on pets playing with tinsel, ribbons and bows. If eaten, they can cause serious stomach and intestinal damage.
If making homemade play dough or salt-dough ornaments, these are not treats for your pets. High amounts of salt can be deadly.
Holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, or holly are not tasty treats for pets. Keep them away from their reach.
Table scraps can upset your pets stomach. Avoid giving them fat trimmings, turkey, chicken or meat bones, or skin from roasted turkey or chicken. These can cause illness and bones can get stuck in your pets esopagus, stomach, or trachea. Keep trash cans hidden so they don’t try to grab a snack.
Some human foods are not pet friendly. For example, some holiday treats contain xylitol. If your pet consumes this ingredient, it can cause lowering of blood sugar, decreased activity, weakness and even seizures. Chocolate can cause liver failure, bleeding disorders, and death. Keep pets away from alcohol.
Snack bags may look like toys to pets. But if they get their noses inside the bags, they can get stuck and could lead to suffocation.
Great Plains Growers Conference (GPGC) is a great local conference for commercial fruit and vegetable producers from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and other Midwest states providing research-based information, from both vegetable research specialists and local growers, to help your farms grow and thrive.
When: January 11-14, 2024
Where: Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO
The “
Gifts 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.
The following K-State Research and Extension publications have been recently updated in both English and Spanish: