K-State food scientist shares tips for preparing foods safely

As warmer days become more common, so does the itch to get outside.

If outdoor time means picnic time, Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said food safety’s four principles – Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill – are still in play.

“Wash your hands, separate food items, (and) keep raw meats away from ready-to-eat foods,” said Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of K-State’s Rapid Response Center for food science. “When preparing food, make sure you’re keeping knives and cutting boards separate so you’re not causing any cross contamination issues.”

Blakeslee also reminds consumers to pack their food thermometer to assure meats and other foods are cooked properly. Hamburgers steaks, roasts and chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit; ground meat (such as beef, pork and lamb) to 160F; and all poultry to 165F.

“Don’t rely on color to determine if a food is cooked properly,” she said. “K-State meat scientists have done a lot of research over the years that shows that a food may look pink, but is done, and vice versa: a meat may look brown inside but may not be cooked to the proper temperature.”

Cold foods should be kept at 40F or colder, Blakeslee said.

“One suggestion I would give is to have a couple of ice chests,” she said. “One is for beverages, because that is the one that is opened most often. The other one can contain all of the food that you may pack, including raw meat of any sort, like hamburgers. Pack raw meats separately to prevent cross contamination.”

Blakeslee said ice should surround the food. Pack ice on the bottom of the cooler – underneath food – then pack ice over the side and top of food, as well.

More tips from Blakeslee:

• Bring a plastic tablecloth. “Picnic tables are in public places that are used by everybody. Plus, there are critters that run around and crawl on those tables.”
• Bring wash rags and extra water. Keeping hands clean during outdoor gatherings can be a challenge. Blakeslee suggests packing wet wash rags with soap on them in plastic bags, disposable hand wipes, or extra water and hand soap. “Hand sanitizer is okay, but it really doesn’t work well unless your hands are clean first,” she said. “They’re good in a pinch, but even better after you’ve washed your hands.”
• Share the responsibility for bringing food. Potlucks are fine, but often people bring many of the same foods. “Assign different foods to different people,” Blakeslee said. “Some people can bring a salad, others can bring a dessert and so on. This helps reduce the stress on everyone.”

Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called You Asked It! that provides numerous tips on being safe and healthy. More information is also available from local extension offices in Kansas.

Make a splash in the garden with the 60-30-10 rule.

Plan now to use basic design principals to create a patriotic garden this summer, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Gwen Funk.

“Designing your outdoor living space comes with many opportunities for creativity,” says Funk. “One might be thinking about themed garden beds, pots and hanging baskets,” she adds. “Using a red, white and blue color scheme around your patio or deck could add a festive, energizing ambiance.”

For harmony and interest, follow the 60-30-10 rule when choosing flowers for your beds and containers: Buy 60% of your flowers in a dominant color, 30% in a secondary color and 10% in an accent shade.

The dominant flower will be the anchor of your garden or container. It should be bold and draw the eye of the viewer immediately. The secondary color supports the main attraction, and the accent enhances the other two.

Red and blue sit on the opposite side of the color wheel. In general landscape design, this makes each color seem more saturated and creates visual appeal, says Funk. Pair with a neutral white to create balance.

Red as the primary color creates a feeling of energy and festivity while blue creates a feeling of spaciousness and relaxation, she says. Choosing white as the main color creates a fascinating twilight moon garden, she says.

Design beds with native plants with Missouri’s varied climate conditions, local pollinators and songbirds in mind, she adds.

Funk suggests considering these plants:

Red flowers. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) if planting in the shade. This July-October-blooming flower prefers shade and moist areas. Royal catchfly (Silene regia) produces bright red star-shaped flowers and may bloom from May to September. Royal catchfly prefers dry, well-drained, sunny locations. The native red bee balm (Monarda didyma) will support many pollinators and may attract hummingbirds.

Blue flowers. Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis) is drought-tolerant and blooms in late spring. Blue star (Amsonia illustris) can withstand shadier conditions. Both flowers have a full, shrublike appearance and bloom late spring to early summer.

White flowers. New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a low-growing, branching shrub that can grow in partial shade to full sun in well-drained soil. Expect blooms late spring to early summer. Another species of Baptisia, Baptisia alba, or white wild indigo, sports pure white blooms on tall spikes from May to July.

Other choices such as red zinnias are heat-tolerant and long-blooming. Red geraniums are suitable for containers or borders. White Shasta daisies are a classic perennial choice, while alyssum offers low-growing fragrant flowers. Blue salvia and bachelor’s buttons round out the trio with blue flowers.

Remember the classic design principle of “a thriller, a filler and a spiller” for hanging baskets and other containers, says Funk:

• A full sun option might include red salvia or tall blue delphinium (thriller), white petunias or white verbena (filler) and blue lobelia or trailing blue torenia (spiller).

• A drought-tolerant combination is red geranium (thriller), white angelonia or white lantana (filler) or blue scaevola (spiller).

• A hummingbird and pollinator container might include red bee balm (thriller), white alyssum (filler) and blue bacopa (spiller).

Learn more about “Container gardening: thrillers, fillers and spillers” at https://extension.missouri.edu/news/container-gardening-thrillers-fillers-and-spillers.