Spoonful

Homemade salsa with corn chips.

Mainely Dish: Homemade Salsa

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Visit EFNEP’s recipe website for the Homemade Salsa recipe and recipe video. Salsa is a staple condiment in many kitchens and it’s easier to make than you might think. This Homemade Salsa […]

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Lunch container with tomatoes and sandwich wraps.

The Ultimate Guide to Lunch Box Food Safety

— By Kayla Parsons, Doctoral Candidate, Registered Dietitian, University of Maine Cooperative Extension If you’re a student, teacher or taking care of a little learner, you’re about to transition back into full time school mode. This often comes with the responsibility of deciding what to pack for lunch. Almost as important as what’s being packed […]

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Sprouts in a person's hands.

Sprout Safety

— Caitlyn Winn, Dietetic Intern University of Maine Cooperative Extension While small in size, sprouts pack a nutritional punch! Sprouts contain many beneficial vitamins and minerals which support our overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, sprouts are considered a high-risk food when it comes to food borne illness. This is because sprouts are grown in a […]

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Assorted herbs

Using Fresh Herbs in Cooking

— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor University of Maine Cooperative Extension Adding flavors to meals with fresh herbs is a great way to cut down on added sugar, salt and fat. While the recommendation to use herbs in cooking seems straightforward, there are a few questions that are commonly asked about the best […]

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Egg salad in a dish.

Mainely Dish: Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Visit EFNEP’s recipe website for the Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt recipe and recipe video. Egg salad is a classic, loved for its simplicity and versatility. In this Egg Salad with Greek […]

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Different types of salt in separate piles.

The Best Salts for Canning & Pickling

— By Mary Kate Reny, UMaine Extension Master Food Preserver Volunteer Salt has been used to preserve food for centuries—salted fish, corned meat, and olives come to mind. But is salt required when preserving vegetables? I was surprised to learn that—except for fermentation—any veggie may be canned without salt. It is added for flavor only […]

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Green beans

Tips for Freezing Green Beans

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension July brings the first harvest of green beans ready for eating fresh, pickling, and freezing. If you find yourself with a big harvest, freezing is a great way to preserve beans for later use. Freezing results in a product with a texture that’s […]

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A person reaching for a blue cooler.

Tips for Cooler Food Safety

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program). Summer is here and cookout, barbecue, and tailgating season is in full swing. Chances are that you, friends, or family will be using a cooler for your outdoor summer adventures. To avoid getting sick from food-borne illness, […]

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Flavored water in mason jars with strawberries, kiwi, lemon, raspberries, and mint leaves.

Three Refreshing Drinks to Beat the Summer Heat

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Hydration is important all year round, and as the temperatures rise in the summer it becomes even more important. Keep reading for summer drink inspiration as I share my top 3 refreshing […]

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Rising apple in the sink under running water.

6 Common Food Safety Mistakes You May Be Making in the Kitchen

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program) A simple mistake in the kitchen can lead to unwelcome consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and […]

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