Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service
Upcoming Events
Koji Rice & Koji Barley: Starter Culture - In Person
This workshop is a beginner's class to the world of Koji, a traditional Japanese starter culture often used in food production. Koji is a mold-based fermentation that can be used to make many food products like miso and soy sauce. In this class, participants will learn a brief history of koji, the enzymes koji provides, and how to use koji in their home kitchen to enhance daily Western-style cooking. Participants will get to taste koji-derived condiments and take home a starter culture. A hands-on lab will teach students a recipe utilizing koji.
- Date/Time: May 9, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Koji Starter. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Vinegars from Start to Finish - In Person
This workshop is a beginner's introduction to homemade vinegar. Participants will be introduced to acetic acid, learn about different types of vinegar, necessary equipment, and how to safely ferment apple scraps into a homemade apple cider vinegar. Participants will get to taste many different vinegars. Students will get to start their own apple scrap vinegar to take home.
- Date/Time: May 23, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Vinegars. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Kraut & Kimchi Workshop - In Person
Sauerkraut and Kimchi are vegetable ferments. Learn how to make your own at home safely through research-based information. Participants will get to make both Sauerkraut and Kimchi in a hands-on lab. Students will get to take home a jar of their choosing which includes a pickle pebble (fermentation weight) and pickle pipe (fermentation airlock).
- Date/Time: June 6, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $35
- To register, click Register for Kraut & Kimchi. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Pickles Workshop - In Person
This workshop will focus on how to use a salt-brine solution to make pickles. Participants will learn how to safely ferment vegetables using a brine to create lactic-acid fermentation. Students will learn how lactic acid fermentation works with vegetables to create pickles in a hands-on lab. Class participants will get to take home a jar of lacto-fermented vegetables.
- Date/Time: June 20, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Pickles Workshop. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Hot Sauces Workshop - In Person
Learn to master the basics of lactic-acid fermentation. Participants will learn how to safely ferment peppers in a salt solution to create flavored and aged hot sauces that can be bottled and shared with family and friends. A hands-on lab will allow participants to create their very own hot sauce or paste to take home and ferment.
- Date/Time: June 25, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Hot Sauce Workshop. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Miso & Mustard Workshop - In Person
This workshop will cover the simple steps of making homemade mustard, from sourcing ingredients, to processing, and storing your finished product. This workshop will also cover how to make miso paste from scratch by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji. Participants will have the opportunity to make miso and mustard in a hands-on lab and take home their creations.
- Date/Time: August 8, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Miso & Mustard Workshop. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Fermenting Flourishes: Preserved Lemons, Honey Fermented Garlic & Black Garlic - In Person
Ingredients like preserved lemons, honey fermented garlic, and black garlic are powerful ways to level-up your home kitchen. Participants will learn how to make each of these in a hands-on lab and get to take home each at the end of class. This workshop will provide recipes and ways to utilize these ingredients in everyday cooking to add a punch of flavor and umami to otherwise ordinary dishes.
- Date/Time: August 22, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Fermenting Flourishes. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Intermediate Kombucha: So You've Made Kombucha, Now What? - In Person
Dive into complex flavoring additions and how to make syrups for a second ferment, learn how to make kombucha syrup and what to do with it, how to build a SCOBY hotel, and why a continuous brew option may be right for you. A hands-on lab will allow participants to make flavored syrup to bottle and take home.
- Date/Time: September 26, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $20
- To register, click Register for Intermediate Kombucha. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Beginner Sausage Making Workshop - In Person
- Date/Time: October 10, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $30
- To register, click Register for Sausage Workshop. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Cold Smoking & Curing Meat: Learning to Make Your Own Charcuterie - In Person
This beginner's workshop will cover how cold smoking, fermentation, and curing work across the spectrum and how these processes layer and combine to create charcuterie. Participants will learn about meat selection, cures, salts, and nitrates, why climate control is important, an introduction to cold-smoking, and fermenting sausages. Participants will get the opportunity to create a charcuterie board in a hands-on lab and taste their creations.
- Date/Time: October 24, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Location: 1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107
- Lab Fee: $30
- To register, click Register for Curing Meat. If you are unable to register online, Please call (505) 243-1386 to register.
Events at the Agri-Nature Center of Los Ranchos - In Person
Learn about a wide variety of topics in horticulture and agriculture from experts in these fields. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
- Location: Agri-Nature Center of Los Ranchos, 4920 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM, 87107.
- Agri-Nature Center of Los Ranchos
- Pressure Canning 101
- Thursday, May 30, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
- Green Chile: Preserving the Harvest
- Thursday, September 26, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Food Preservation and Canning
Resources for New Mexico and high elevation canning. Please contact Amber Lehmer at ambenson@nmsu.edu or phone 505-243-1386 for specific food preservation questions
Holiday Cooking Tips
Announcements
Food Safety
Games for Kids!
- Theme Park Kitchen: Supports food safety learning for middle school youth.
- Science Pirates: (no longer available) builds better understanding of science processes and food safety.
Quick Links
- KRQE's "New Mexico Living" Episodes - External Site Video
NMSU Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension staff share health and nutrition tips on monthly episodes of KRQE's "New Mexico Living." Here are a few favorites:
- The Mind Diet - Foods to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - Video
BernCo CES' Dianne Christensen discusses the The MIND Diet, developed to prevent Alzheimer's disease. It emphasizes plant-based food choices and limiting animal proteins and saturated fats. Click here for a recap and video of KRQE's New Mexico Living episode.
(Note: External link via KRQE.com. The page includes a recipe for the MIND Diet Spring Salad).
For more information, contact Dianne Christensen via email, call 505-243-1386, or email: diannec@nmsu.edu.
Recipes Booklets
- New! - Hearty New Mexican Soups and Stews - Recipe Booklet
Perfect for winter meals, try these favorites recipes that are sure to warm you up. Previously available for Cindy Schlenker-Davies' winter cooking classes; now in PDF format (with clickable links in the table of contents).
Topical Resources
Videos and Webinars
- Extension Program Webinars Now Online!
Family and Consumer Science webinars are now available for viewing on all your devices. Learn from NMSU's Extension educators via the NMSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences webpage, including links for upcoming webinars and to listen to those previously recorded.
Games for Kids!
- Nutrition Decision: Learn how to read the nutrition facts labels, and get ideas for estimating serving sizes and moving more.
- Because I Care, I Wash My Hands: Teaches steps to proper hand washing.
Contact Us
NMSU-Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service
1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: 505-243-1386 844-409-0562 (Toll Free)
Fax: 505-243-1545
Email: bernalillo@nmsu.edu
URL: https://bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu