COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Santa Fe County Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

Holiday Food Safety: Crock pot

Page 2

Design Corner: Trendy Cement Tile, Pro’s and

ConsPage 3

In the Kitchen:Quiche Pastry Cups Recipe

Page 4

Healthy Home:How to Wash Your

Pillows Page 5

Page 6• The authentic

New Mexico Cookbook

• Crockpot Punch

Contact Information: cydneym@nmsu.edu

505-471-4711

Cooperative Extension Service • Family and Consumer Sciences • Winter , 2019

BE BOLD. Shape the Future. New Mexico State University

Upcoming Events!!

• Tuesday, January 8th, 6 p.m:Master Food Preserver Potluck

If you have been thinking of becoming a Master Food Preserver, this is a great time to visit with other MFP’s and learn about what

we do. Where: Our new kitchen at 3229 Rodeo Rd., Santa Fe.

Please RSVP to 471-4711. Bring whatever food you would like to share. No charge.

• Thursdays, February 14th and 21st, 9:00-1:00Kitchen Creations: A Diabetic Cooking School

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, or are a caretaker of a diabetic, this is the class for you! There are a series

of two classes, classroom and hands on cooking. Where: the New Presbyterian Hospital

4801 Beckner Road.(the Kitchen is on the Lower level, park on the North side and

enter at the cafeteria.) If you would like to participate, call 505-471-4711 to reserve your place, as space is limited!

• Tuesdays, March 12th-April 2nd, 10-12 a.m.

The Next Chapter: Better than a Bucket List!• March 12- Aging: What to Expect and How to Cope• March 19: Aging in Place in Style• March 26: Organizing and Downsizing Your Home= Peace of Mind• April 2nd: Essentials to Have in Place, What’s New in Technology and What It

Means to YouWhere: 3229 Rodeo Rd, The Santa Fe Extension office

Call 471-4711 to reserve your space! Limited.

We often get requests for recipes that can be made in a slow cooker. It’s not surprising since you can add the ingredients to the slow cooker, turn it on, and then go about your day while the food cooks. No need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen when you have other things you need to do!

Here are some tips to keep food safe when using a slow cooker.

1.Cook foods using the low or high heat setting. If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. However, it’s safe to cook foods on low the entire time. Do not use the warm setting to cook food. It is designed to keep cooked food hot.

2.Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. If frozen pieces are used, they will not reach 140°F quick enough and could possibly result in a foodborne illness. If possible, cut the meat into small chunks. The temperature danger zone is between 40°F and 140°. If food is in this temperature zone for more than 2 hours, harmful bacteria may grow to unsafe levels.

3.Place vegetables on the bottom and near the sides of the slow cooker. Vegetables cook the slowest, so you want them near the heat.

4.Keep the lid in place. Each time the lid is raised, the internal temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees and the cooking process is slowed by 30 minutes.

5.Place leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate. Do not leave cooked food to cool down in the slow cooker.

6.Reheat food on the stove top or microwave and transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm (140°F or above). Do not reheat food or leftovers in a slow cooker. (https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/spendsmart/2017/01/09/keeping-food-safe-in-a-slow-cook)

See page 6 for a holiday slow cooker treat!

Slower Cooker Safety for the Holidays!

Page 2

Design Corner:The Pros and Cons of the Trendy Cement Tile

I really like the Moroccan tile that is trending right now, mostly because it has so many color choices! Also, they fit almost any stile and are versatile enough to be used for floors, back splashes, wainscoting and stair risers. However, there are a few drawbacks:

Con: They’re High-Maintenance.

Concrete is naturally porous, and the surface of encaustic tiles isn’t protected by a glaze. As a result, Moroccan-style tiles are susceptible to staining. You should treat them like natural stone, which means routine sealing (some manufacturers recommend a seal prior to installation), cleaning up spills immediately and avoiding prolonged exposure to moisture.

If you’re set on this look but want less maintenance, shop around for porcelain and ceramic look-alikes. They don’t require sealing and generally hold up well to spills and water

Con: Wet Zones may be off-limits

Wet zones may be off limits for certain types of tiles, namely encaustic and hand-painted tiles. Prolonged exposure to moisture can damage the surface over time. Always check manufacturer usage guidelines.

Con: Moroccan-style tiles aren’t exactly budget-friendly.

Cement tiles generally exceed $15 per square foot, and certain styles, depending on the company and how they’re made, will cost more than $50 per square foot.

The good news: If you’re on a tight budget, Moroccan-style tiles aren’t out of the question. Many companies now offer authentic cement-look tiles in porcelain and ceramic at a fraction of the cost.

Again, I really think these tiles are fun. Many look like quilt pieces and I can imagine the fun of designing the tiles together. Just be informed before you buy.

CydneyAllied American Society of Interior Designers,

Certified Aging In Place Specialist.

Quiche Pastry Cups

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min. YIELD: 1-1/2 dozen.

Ingredients1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed4 large eggs, divided use1 cup plus 2 tablespoons half-and-half cream, divided1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1-1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese1-1/2 cups chopped fresh spinach1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Directions1. Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry. Roll each sheet into a 12-in. square; cut each into nine squares. Place in ungreased muffin cups, pressing gently onto bottoms and up sides, allowing corners to point up.2. In a small bowl, whisk 3 eggs, 1 cup cream, thyme and seasonings. In another bowl, combine cheese, spinach, red pepper and bacon; divide among pastry cups. Pour egg mixture over cheese mixture.3. In a small bowl, whisk remaining egg with remaining cream; brush over pastry edges. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Serve warm.

Freeze option: Cover and freeze baked pastries on greased baking sheets until firm. Transfer to resealableplastic freezer bags; return to freezer. To use, reheat frozen pastries on ungreased baking sheets in a preheated 375° oven 17-20 minutes or until heated through.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/quiche-pastry-cups/print/

Quiche Pastry Cups: You can freeze ahead for those holiday get togethers!

Healthy Homes

Pillows:

If you are like most, you have been traveling, been the guest or had guests over the holidays.

This is a good time to rotate and vacuum your mattress, as well as wash your pillows!

Consumer Reports has great tips for clean, healthy pillows.

(https://www.consumerreports.org/pillows/how-to-wash-a-pillow/)

While you’re probably in the habit of regularly washing your sheets and pillowcases, you might not give as much attention to what lies beneath—your pillows and mattress. But both need a good cleaning at least twice a year.“Most people do not realize that their pillows can harbor lots of gross and icky things that build up over time—dirt, oils, saliva, sweat, bacteria, mold, and even fungi,” says Michelle Fishberg, CEO and co-founder of Slumbr, a sleep-wellness company. “These things can break down the fill in your pillows, causing them to lose support over time.”That just leaves the pillow. “Many sleepers spend hours of time and thousands of dollars finding a great mattress yet often treat their pillow like an afterthought,” Fishbergsays.Here, Consumer Reports shows you how to keep your pillow fresh, clean, and ready for a good night’s sleep.

Step 1: Air It OutGive your pillows a daily fluffing to restore their shape and remove dust. Then every month or so hang them outdoors on a clothesline for a few hours, ideally on a bright, breezy day, either warm or chilly. If that’s not an option, as with some foam and latex pillows, run them through the dryer on the no-heat cycle.Step 2: Wash It GentlyUnless your pillow is marked “dry clean only” you should wash most pillows about twice a year following care label instructions. Laundering a pillow isn’t difficult, although it can take a bit of time to get it dry.If your washing machine is large enough, wash two pillows at a time. That will help balance the load, allowing the water and detergent to circulate more effectively. The agitator on conventional top-loaders can be tough on pillows, so it’s best to agitate on the gentle cycle only for a few minutes (or the shortest possible setting, if you can’t control the specific time). Alternatively, make a special trip to the laundromat to use its front-loaders.Follow these directions for specific types of pillow fills:Down or feather. Wash with a small amount of mild powder detergent or a product designed to launder down, on

warm and delicate. A liquid detergent that is not completely rinsed out will leave sticky residue, and this causes clumping. So massage the pillow in the detergent solution if you can, to ensure that the down is thoroughly wet. When drying, unless you like the smell of singed feathers, use the no-heat air-dry setting (it will take a while) and dryer balls or tennis balls to break up clumps.Memory foam or latex. Unfortunately, neither can be washed, nor should they really be steamed, which is generally a good alternative for items that can’t be laundered. The best bet is to spot-treat any stains, preferably as they happen, and to use a pillow cover to extend its life.Polyester. Wash with warm water on the gentle cycle, preferably a few at a time to balance the load. Be sparing with the detergent. Use about 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.Buckwheat hulls. Empty the buckwheat filling onto a large cookie sheet or wide, shallow bowl. Set the buckwheat out in the sun, which will eliminate odors, and wash the shell casing using cold water and a mild detergent.

Step 3: Dry It ThoroughlyIt’s crucial to get the pillow completely dry—otherwise you risk mildew. Skip the auto-dry setting on your clothes dryer because the sensors will detect only surface moisture, leaving you with a pillow that’s still damp on the inside. Instead, dry the pillow for a good hour on moderate heat. Adding a couple of dry towels will speed things up. Toss in two fresh tennis balls, as well, and they’ll keep the filling from clumping as they bounce around the drum.If the weather is mild, you can also hang most pillows on the clothesline until they’re dried all the way through. Whichever drying technique you use, you still need to check for moisture inside the pillow. If none remains, it’s time to make the bed.We recommend using pillow covers to protect pillows from substances such as sweat, body oils, and face cream. Launder both the pillow cover and the pillowcase regularly, say, once a week, along with your sheets. “You’ll be amazed at how much longer you’ll enjoy the comfort and support of your pillow,” Fishberg says.

Page 3

I get many phone calls about the “original” New Mexico recipes and this is a New Mexico classic. It features an assortment of recipes from the kitchens of New Mexico homes and restaurants, many of which have been featured in the pages of New Mexico Magazine. Inside you will learn how to prepare chile and how to build an horno as well as find recipes for traditional favorites including tortillas, guacamole, posole, biscochitos, sopaipillas, and sangria. Additionally, you will find dishes like fettine di manzo allapizzaiola and moussaka alongside recipes for obscure regional specialties like Santa Clara Bread Pudding, High Country Pea Soup, Las Cruces Pecan Pralines, and Silver City Nuggets.

Savor and share the joys of New Mexican cooking as you prepare more than one hundred dishes from across the state in this remarkable collection of outstanding recipes. You can buy this online. (unmpress.com)

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and Extension programs.

New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

The Go To Traditional New Mexico Cookbook

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Hot Spiced Cranberry DrinkITOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Cook: 2 hoursYIELD: 3-1/2 quarts.

Ingredients•8 cups hot water•1-1/2 cups sugar•4 cups cranberry juice•3/4 cup orange juice•1/4 cup lemon juice•12 whole cloves, optional•1/2 cup Red Hot candies

Directions•1. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine water, sugar and juices; stir until sugar is dissolved. If desired, place cloves in a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with string to form a bag. Add spice bag and Red Hots to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for until heated through, 2-3 hours. Before serving, discard spice bag and stir punch.