‘Freezer Friends’ dish it up in Delta Cuisine kitchen incubator

‘Freezer Friends’ dish it up in Delta Cuisine kitchen incubator

Program promotes easy, healthy eating choices

County Family & Consumer Science Extension Agent During the months of September and October, the Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with ASU Mid-South and the Delta Cuisine Kitchen to host a four-part series of lessons entitled “Freezer Friends.”

Participants met once-aweek for 2-3 hours in the Jeremy Jacobs Hospitality Kitchen to prepare three different meals to be stored in the freezer for future use. The goal of the program is to provide freezer-ready main dishes to assist families in better healthier, meal choices using cost effective recipes while equipping them with basic cooking principles and techniques.

Participants were provided a shopping list in advance for each session, which was used to adapt the recipe to include ingredients tailored to their families' likes and dislikes. Some of the favorite recipes prepared include Easy Lasagna, Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos, Marinated Grilled Pork Chops, and Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Roast.

Prepping ahead of time allows participants to simply thaw the meal and then pop it in the oven, crockpot or on the grill. It fits in with today's busy schedules we all face.

It's the ultimate makeahead strategy-all the convenience of quick-and-easy meals but with the flavor of your own healthy home cooking. Once you try this strategy, you'll find it difficult to look at weeknight meal planning any other way.

If you are interested in the Crittenden County Cooperative Extension's programs, please contact the Family and Consumer Science Agent, Meredith Wayman, at mwayman@uaex.edu or (870)-739-3239 for more information.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to 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.

By Meredith Wayman