Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
Since eggnog is made with eggs, special precautions need to be taken to prevent your guests from becoming sick from a foodborne illness during the holidays. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy this holiday drink safely.
Nashville, Ark. – Chances are you have attended at least one holiday party this season. You will probably be attending several more. One of the favorites at holiday parties is eggnog. Traditional eggnog is made by combining raw eggs with milk or cream, sugar, flavorings and perhaps alcohol. Since eggnog is made with eggs, special precautions need to be taken to prevent your guests from becoming sick from a foodborne illness during the holidays.
Homemade eggnog, a tradition in many families during the holiday season, can cause a foodborne illness from the bacteria Salmonella, which may be found in raw or undercooked eggs. Eggs are a standard ingredient in most homemade eggnog recipes, giving the beverage its characteristic frothy texture. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy this holiday drink safely.
If you have a favorite family recipe that calls for uncooked eggs, simply substitute the eggs with a pasteurized egg product. These products are found in the egg case. There are several options on the market including whole eggs out-of-the-shell or low-cholesterol egg white products. These items differ from traditional eggs-in-the-carton. They are eggs which have been heated thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria.
If you want to use raw eggs, you must cook the egg base to ensure the safety of the eggnog. It is easy to do and does not change the flavor or texture of your eggnog.
Begin by combine the eggs and half the milk as indicated in the recipe in a saucepan. You may also add the sugar. Cook the mixture gently and at a low temperature until the internal temperature of the mixture reaches 160ºF. Stir constantly throughout this process. Otherwise you will end up with scrambled eggs!
Cooking eggs to 160ºF will destroy Salmonella, if present. Use a food thermometer to test the temperature of the mixture, or until the mixture firmly coats a metal spoon. Once cooked, chill the mixture before adding the rest of the milk and other ingredients. You can add your favorite spices before serving.
Eggnog can be enjoyed as is without added ingredients. However, some people like to add rum, whiskey, or other alcohol to the recipe. There is a misconception that adding alcohol will kill any bacteria that may be in the raw eggs. This is not true!
Be aware, there are a lot of calories in eggnog. When you add alcohol, you add calories. Just 1.5 ounces of rum adds 97 extra calories! Without alcohol, eggnog has 180 calories with 80 of them coming from fat in just a half cup serving. That’s a 4 ounce serving! Much of the fat in eggnog is saturated and can easily add up to the 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance for saturated fat intake. Even “light” eggnog can still provide up to 110 calories per serving. So, be aware of how much you are drinking and limit the amount you drink.
On top of the fat calories found in eggnog, there is also a lot of sugar in the store bought varieties. They can have up to 4 or 5 teaspoons of sugar in a 4 oz. serving.
So what’s the bottom line? Buy commercially prepared eggnog if you don’t want to make it from scratch. If you do want to make from scratch, make sure you prepare it properly to destroy any Salmonella that may be present. Look for lower fat and lower sugar versions of eggnog, and limit the amount you drink.
A final thought…raw eggs have the potential to carry Salmonella bacteria. Do not eat or taste of any product that has raw eggs in it, including raw cookie dough!
For more information on food safety during the holidays, contact the Howard County Extension Service at 870-845-7517 or visit our office located on the second floor of the courthouse. You can also check out the website, www.foodsafety.gov for more information.
Here is a great alternative to eggnog as a beverage for the holidays. This recipe makes 3 ½ quarts, enough for any holiday party.
2 (32 ounce) bottles cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 ½ cups lemon juice
2/3 cup sugar
2 (16 ounce) bottles orange soda, chilled
Ice or ice ring
1 orange, sliced
Whole cloves and cranberries (optional)
In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, lemon juice, and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. Just before serving, add orange soda and ice or ice ring. Garnish with orange slices decorated with cloves and whole cranberries, if desired. Very festive!
By Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff ChairThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff Chair U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service 421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852 (870) 845-7517 jince@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.