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.
May 2026 R&RCL Web Content
Food Handling/Safety - Hurricane Safety
Preparing for hurricane season means creating actions plans, including safeguarding food supplies. Prolonged power outages and flood damage are the greatest risks to food stored in the home. Plan ahead by purchasing ice packs and coolers before the hurricane arrives for possible prolonged power outages. Move canned goods to higher shelves to lessen the change of them being contaminated by flood waters. Use appliance thermometers to determine the safety of perishable food. Meat, poultry, fish and eggs must be kept below 40 F, while frozen foods need to remain at 0 F or below. Remember, never taste test foods to determine safety. If in doubt, throw it out!
Image credit: Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
Hurricane Overnight Oats
- 1 cup rolled or old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup water
- 1 TBS peanut butter or sun butter
- Small handful of unsalted nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.) – optional
- Small handful of dried fruit (raisins, craisins, etc.) – optional
- Fresh fruit (diced apple, sliced banana) – optional
- In a container, combine the oats and water. Stir to combine. Cover and allow to sit overnight. By using water in the recipe, there is no need for refrigeration if the power is out.
- In the morning, stir in the TBS of peanut or sun butter and the optional nuts, dried fruit, or fresh fruit and enjoy.