Recipes and Reads Culinary Labs

Recipes & Reads Culinary Lab workshops serve up comprehensive, culinary literacy programs that include hands-on demonstrations of food and nutritional literacy; food acquisition methods; food handling, hygiene and safety; culture and history of food; and consumer cost-saving techniques and meal stretching. Each of the culinary lab workshops may include the use of fully stocked mobile, kitchen carts to aid in these food-related demonstrations. The labs are strategically located at library branches throughout the county and serve all ages. Registration may be required, at some locations, for Recipes and Reads Culinary Lab workshops.

July 2026 R&RCL

Meal Stretching

"Stretch meals" are a great way to save money at the grocery store while stocking your freezer with some of your favorite meals. What makes a great stretch meal? Start with favorites that are easy to make in large batches. Pick a dish that refrigerates or freezes well to create more opportunities to consume the leftovers. Choose recipes that feature fewer ingredients to lower the cost per serving and stretch your food budget further.

Image credit: Image by Hans from Pixabay.

Easy Chicken Noodles

• 8 ounces egg noodles
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 TBS butter
• 1 cup shredded chicken (canned or leftover chicken works best)
• salt and pepper to taste

Topping

• 2 TBS butter
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• salt to taste

1. To make the topping, melt butter in a small pan over low heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Add garlic powder, pepper flakes, parsley, and salt, stir to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Place chicken stock and noodles in a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let the noodles cook and soak up the stock until tender, around 15 minutes.
3. When noodles are finished cooking add the butter as well as salt and pepper to taste. Stir in shredded chicken and allow to heat through. Top with toasted breadcrumbs and serve.

Recipe can easily be doubled to make leftovers for future meals.