Savor the Flavor

Research shows that people who prepare and cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains needed in a balanced diet. Building skills and cooking knowledge increases the likelihood that people choose to prepare home-cooked meals.

Seasoning with Spices

To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents hosted the workshop Savor the Flavor: Seasoning with Spices as a part of a multi-county leader lesson. The Savor the Flavor lesson focused on cooking with various spices to season and enhance the flavor of food. Extension developed this program as a way to teach people how to make home-prepared meals that are flavorful and exciting. These common pantry staples are versatile, yet people commonly say they are unsure of the appropriate uses and applications for these items. The goal of this program is to increase knowledge about various types of spices that you can use and learn how to incorporate them into food preparation and cooking. Fifty-one people participated in the workshop and completed the post-evaluation.

Of those surveyed, 94% (n=48) indicated they better understood different types of spices used for cooking. 92% (n=47) reported they had a better understanding of how to blend or pair spices to create different types of seasonings. 90% (n=46) stated they increased their level of understanding regarding ways to incorporate spices into food preparation and cooking. Further, 100% (n=51) expressed the intention to try a new type of spice to prepare or add flavor to foods, while 96% (n=49) expressed the intention to incorporate more spices into cooking to increase home-prepared meals. Finally, 98% (n=50) reported that the program was timely, practical, and educational.

Participants shared they interested in using spices to flavor food and not just salt and pepper. One participant specifically shared, “I will be more confident in my flavoring decisions.”

Flavoring with Herbs

To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents hosted the workshop Savor the Flavor: Building Flavor with Herbs as a part of a multi-county leader lesson. The Savor the Flavor lesson focused on flavoring dishes with herbs. Extension developed this workshop as a way to teach people how to make home-prepared meals that are flavorful and exciting. These common pantry and garden staples are versatile, yet people commonly say they are unsure of the appropriate pairings for various herbs. The goal of this program is to increase knowledge about common types of herbs and incorporating them into food preparation and cooking. Fifty-one people participated in the workshop and completed the post-evaluation survey.

Of those surveyed, 82% (n=42) shared they had a better understanding of different types of herbs and 84% (n=43) indicated they better understood common pairings of herbs with dishes, and 82% (n=42) stated they increased their level of understanding regarding ways to incorporate herbs into food preparation and cooking. Further, 98% (n=50) expressed the intention to try a new herb as a way to prepare or add flavor to foods, while 96% (n=49) expressed the intention to incorporate more herbs into cooking to increase home-prepared meals. Finally, 96% (n=49) found the program timely, practical, and educational.

Cooking with Oils and Vinegars

To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents hosted the workshop Savor the Flavor: Cooking with Oils and Vinegars a multi-county leader lesson. The Savor the Flavor lesson focused on cooking oils and flavored vinegars. Extension developed it as a way to teach people how to make home-prepared meals that are flavorful and exciting. These common pantry staples are versatile, yet people commonly say they are unsure of the appropriate uses and applications for these items. The goal of this program is to increase knowledge about various types of cooking oils and vinegars and how to incorporate them into food preparation and cooking.

Fifty-three people completed the post-evaluation survey. Of those surveyed, 85% (n=45) and 89% (n=47) indicated they better understood different types of cooking oils and flavored vinegars, respectively, and 89% (n=47) stated they increased their level of understanding regarding ways to incorporate cooking oils and/or vinegars into food preparation and cooking. Further, 98% (n=52) expressed the intention to try a new type of cooking oil and/or flavored vinegar to prepare or add flavor to foods, while 98% (n=52) expressed the intention to incorporate more cooking oils and/or flavored vinegars into cooking to increase home-prepared meals. Finally, 100% of all participants agreed or strongly agreed the lesson was timely, practical, and educational.

One participant shared, “I’m going to start making my own salad dressing, low in added sugar, still sweet, and no salt! I have the perfect container waiting for me to use.” Another shared the most significant thing they would take away from the program was the different types of fat found in oils and the most appropriate uses for them.