Spoonful

Freeze dried vegetables in jars.

Tips for Freeze Drying at Home

— By Kate McCarty, Food System Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Freeze drying is becoming a popular method of home food preservation as freeze dryers designed for home use are becoming more widely available. Most foods can be freeze dried, from fruits and vegetables to proteins and complete meals. Freeze drying removes up to […]

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Fresh vegetables for cooking dinner near mobile phone.

Is a Tomato a Fruit or a Vegetable?

— By Laurie Colton, EFNEP Community Education Assistant in Northern Aroostook County, University of Maine Cooperative Extension This blog post is a part of our “Ask EFNEP” series where members of UMaine Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) answer questions they are asked when delivering food and nutrition programs. Question: Is a […]

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Broken egg

Take it from Us … Kitchen Mistakes Happen!

— By Spoonful Bloggers, University of Maine Cooperative Extension As food and nutrition bloggers we’ve got years of experience in the kitchen, and plenty of examples of mistakes we’ve made along the way! Read on for our “tell-all” kitchen mistakes and tips to avoid them in your own kitchen. Doing the Math Wrong – Alex […]

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Piece of spinach-rice casserole on a plate with a baking dish in the background

Mainely Dish: Spinach-Rice Casserole

— 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 Spinach-Rice Casserole recipe and recipe video. Casserole recipes are great because usually, all you have to do is add all the ingredients in a casserole dish […]

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Top View of Omelette on Iron Cast Pans.

Cast Iron Basics: How to Clean, Season, and Maintain Your Cast Iron Pan

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) For most of my life, I avoided using cast iron pans. Why use a cast iron pan, when you could just use stainless-steel, non-stick, or any other pan where the steps are so much simpler: cook, clean, […]

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Miscellaneous herbs

7 Ways to Best Preserve Spring Herbs

— By Kate McCarty, Food System Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension It’s feeling springy in Maine, and while herbs won’t be ready in Maine gardens for months, springtime feels like the season to start adding fresh flavors to your meals using herbs. But oftentimes, purchasing herbs leaves you with much more than you need, […]

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A person typing on a laptop.

5 Questions to Ask When You’re Navigating Nutrition Research

— By Kayla Parsons, RDN, PhD Student, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Nutrition information is easily accessible in today’s digital age. Magazines, advertisements, books, blogs, podcasts, social media platforms, and every person you know probably has something to say about nutrition. Eating is a universal behavior, with food serving an integral role in health and […]

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Make-ahead Mexican Rollup on a plate with salsa and avocado on the side

Mainely Dish: Make-Ahead Mexican Roll Ups

— 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 Make-ahead Mexican Rollups recipe and recipe video. The Make-ahead Mexican Roll Ups is one of the recipes I use repeatedly because I can make the wraps […]

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A food thermometer taking the internal temperature of steak.

In the Kitchen: Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures

— By Kathy Savoie, Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension The topic of minimum internal temperatures is always discussed in the ServSafe Food Protection Manager courses and Cooking for Crowds workshops that I teach. This topic is just as important for preventing foodborne illness in your home kitchen. Let’s cover some of the basics. […]

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A table with a fruit bowl, orange juice, and other fruits.

The Juicy Details: Breaking Down Common Terms & Labels Found on Fruit Products

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program) Have you ever found yourself at the grocery store confused by the labeling on some of your favorite products? I know I definitely have, and my favorite food group (fruits) is no exception. Whether its products labeled […]

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