Fresh Chefs
Delicious, Simple Meals from the 4-H Family
4-H Favorite Recipes
What’s better than cooking at home? Making meals that are both inspired and easy to make. This collection of recipes from the 4-H community hits those marks on every page.
Featuring nearly 50 recipes from 4-H’ers, supporters, and 4-H alumni — including celebrity chef, author, and Tennessee 4-H alumna Carla Hall — the Fresh Chefs digital cookbook includes healthy everyday recipes and celebratory dishes for youth and families to enjoy.
Dig in to discover recipes for every occasion, starting with a few of our favorites below.
Fresh Chefs was made possible by generous support from the Walmart Foundation.
A Note from Carla Hall
Celebrity Chef, Author, 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, Tennessee 4-H Alumna
For me, healthy eating habits begin with mindfulness and a thoughtful attitude towards food. Mindful eating means being honest with yourself and serving as your own advocate when it comes to what you’re eating, how you’re eating and why you’re eating.
Celebrity Chef, Author, 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, Tennessee 4-H Alumna
For me, healthy eating habits begin with mindfulness and a thoughtful attitude towards food. Mindful eating means being honest with yourself and serving as your own advocate when it comes to what you’re eating, how you’re eating and why you’re eating. It’s about paying attention to your body and developing an awareness of how you feel when you eat certain foods—what works for you might be different from what works for others.
Living a healthy lifestyle is all about finding the right balance for you. The truth is, it may be unsustainable for some (like me) to cut out indulgent foods completely. For example, I like to eat health conscious, everyday meals during the week and a celebratory dish over the weekend. In fact, I have what I call “hamburger time” which usually happens at around 1pm for Saturday lunch—it’s a special ritual to enjoy food that I love but can’t eat as much as I used to.
This cookbook is a reflection of that idea of balance, featuring a compilation of simple, everyday recipes as well as treats for celebratory moments, from weekend brunches to holidays. These recipes were thoughtfully selected and submitted by 4-H’ers across the country as well as 4-H alumni and supporters, to share with you. As a 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, it’s inspiring to work with such incredible 4-H youth, who encourage young people and their communities to develop a lifetime of healthy living skills.
So play your favorite feel-good songs, relax and have some fun in the kitchen! Hope you enjoy!
Featured Recipes
Oven Smothered Chicken
2 Hours
This updated version of a comforting Southern classic is not only cooked completely in the oven for a perfect weeknight meal, but it's fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Carla Hall, Celebrity Chef, Author, 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, Tennessee 4-H Alumna
Cauliflower Steaks with Sautéed Porcini & Poached Egg
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
This brunch (or anytime) dish propelled chef Anne Burrell to victory on a Food Network competition. Nutritious and satisfying, it will score big in your home, too.
Anne Burrell, Host of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, New York 4-H Alumna
Creole-Spiced Black-Eyed Peas Salad on Crusty Toast
30 Minutes
This celebratory dish has roots in Southern and black culture, and is great for any occasion. When using canned beans, it can be whipped up in no time.
Lazarus Lynch, Chef, Author, Activist, New York 4-H Alum
Watermelon Slush
10-15 Minutes
Loaded with hydration to spare, this bright and fruity slush is a delicious, refreshing snack to replenish your body – and lift your spirits – on hot days.
Elisabeth, California 4-H
Easy Egg and Sausage Casserole
1 Hour
This filling dish has everything you like about breakfast in one place. Plus, it’s perfect for prepping ahead of time, then popping into the oven the morning of.
Tracey, Mississippi 4-H
Chicken Stir Fry
1 Hour
You can take this recipe and make it your own – once you master the basics of this healthy dish, you can mix it up by using different veggies every time.
Wyatt, South Carolina 4-H
Sock-It-To-Me Cake
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
This coffee cake with cinnamon, cardamom and honey is a Southern tradition gone gluten-free. It’s easy to make and so good, it’ll make you shout, “Sock it to me!”
Laila Ali, Cookbook Author, TV Host, Former Boxing Champion and Creator of Laila Ali Lifestyle
JoAnn’s Louisiana Blue Crab Dip
30 Minutes
This prizewinning party food favorite comes from a 4-Her’s great-great-grandma. With just a few ingredients, it’s quick to make and sure to disappear even more quickly.
Aubrie, Louisiana 4-H
Mini Blueberry Pies
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
It’s almost too easy to make these irresistible desserts. Just gather blueberries, pie crust, and not much else, and pretty soon the house will smell like baking berry pie.
Cady and Madison, Louisiana 4-H
Featured Recipes
Oven Smothered Chicken
2 Hours
This updated version of a comforting Southern classic is not only cooked completely in the oven for a perfect weeknight meal, but it's fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Carla Hall, Celebrity Chef, Author, 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, Tennessee 4-H Alumna
Cauliflower “Steaks” with Sautéed Porcini and Poached Egg
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
This brunch (or anytime) dish propelled chef Anne Burrell to victory on a Food Network competition. Nutritious and satisfying, it will score big in your home, too.
Anne Burrell, Host of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, New York 4-H Alumna
Creole-Spiced Black-Eyed Peas Salad on Crusty Toast
30 Minutes
This celebratory dish has roots in Southern and black culture, and is great for any occasion. When using canned beans, it can be whipped up in no time.
Lazarus Lynch, Chef, Author, Activist, New York 4-H Alum
Watermelon Slush
10 - 15 Minutes
Loaded with hydration to spare, this bright and fruity slush is a delicious, refreshing snack to replenish your body – and lift your spirits – on hot days.
Elisabeth, California 4-H
Easy Egg and Sausage Casserole
1 Hour
This filling dish has everything you like about breakfast in one place. Plus, it’s perfect for prepping ahead of time, then popping into the oven the morning of.
Tracey, Mississippi 4-H
Chicken Stir Fry
1 Hour
You can take this recipe and make it your own – once you master the basics of this healthy dish, you can mix it up by using different veggies every time.
Wyatt, South Carolina 4-H
Sock-It-To-Me Cake
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
This coffee cake with cinnamon, cardamom and honey is a Southern tradition gone gluten-free. It’s easy to make and so good, it’ll make you shout, “Sock it to me!”
Laila Ali, Cookbook Author, TV Host, Former Boxing Champion and Creator of Laila Ali Lifestyle
JoAnn’s Louisiana Blue Crab Dip
30 Minutes
This prizewinning party food favorite comes from a 4-Her’s great-great-grandma. With just a few ingredients, it’s quick to make and sure to disappear even more quickly.
Aubrie, Louisiana 4-H
Mini Blueberry Pies
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
It’s almost too easy to make these irresistible desserts. Just gather blueberries, pie crust, and not much else, and pretty soon the house will smell like baking berry pie.
Cady and Madison, Louisiana 4-H
Featured Recipes
Oven Smothered Chicken
2 Hours
This updated version of a comforting Southern classic is not only cooked completely in the oven for a perfect weeknight meal, but it's fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Carla Hall, Celebrity Chef, Author, 4-H Healthy Habits Program Ambassador, Tennessee 4-H Alumna
Cauliflower “Steaks” with Sautéed Porcini and Poached Egg
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
This brunch (or anytime) dish propelled chef Anne Burrell to victory on a Food Network competition. Nutritious and satisfying, it will score big in your home, too.
Anne Burrell, Host of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, New York 4-H Alumna
Creole-Spiced Black-Eyed Peas Salad on Crusty Toast
30 Minutes
This celebratory dish has roots in Southern and black culture, and is great for any occasion. When using canned beans, it can be whipped up in no time.
Lazarus Lynch, Chef, Author, Activist, New York 4-H Alum
Watermelon Slush
10 - 15 Minutes
Loaded with hydration to spare, this bright and fruity slush is a delicious, refreshing snack to replenish your body – and lift your spirits – on hot days.
Elisabeth, California 4-H
Easy Egg and Sausage Casserole
1 Hour
This filling dish has everything you like about breakfast in one place. Plus, it’s perfect for prepping ahead of time, then popping into the oven the morning of.
Tracey, Mississippi 4-H
Chicken Stir Fry
1 Hour
You can take this recipe and make it your own – once you master the base of this dish, you can mix it up by using different veggies every time.
Wyatt, South Carolina 4-H
Sock-It-To-Me Cake
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
This coffee cake with cinnamon, cardamom and honey is a Southern tradition gone gluten-free. It’s easy to make and so good, it’ll make you shout, “Sock it to me!”
Laila Ali, Cookbook Author, TV Host, Former Boxing Champion and Creator of Laila Ali Lifestyle
JoAnn’s Louisiana Blue Crab Dip
30 Minutes
This prizewinning party food favorite comes from a 4-Her’s great-great-grandma. With just a few ingredients, it’s quick to make and sure to disappear even more quickly.
Aubrie, Louisiana 4-H
Mini Blueberry Pies
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
It’s almost too easy to make these irresistible desserts. Just gather blueberries, pie crust, and not much else, and pretty soon the house will smell like baking berry pie.
Cady and Madison, Louisiana 4-H
Fresh Chefs Music Video with Carla Hall
Check out this music video with 4-H alumna Carla Hall and Virginia and Tennessee 4-H'ers showing how to have fun in the kitchen!
Shop 4-H Curriculum and Products
Shop4-H.org offers university-backed curriculum, educational kits, products and supplies to expand your knowledge of cooking, food, and nutrition.
4-H Clover Cookie Cutter
The only thing better than cookies? Clover-shaped, 4-H-made cookies. Bring 4-H into your kitchen with this metal 4-H cookie cutter. This cutter makes for an excellent cooking competition or food demonstration prize.
$1.25
4-H Cooking 101
Grades: 6-12
Learn how to avoid spreading germs while cooking, measure and mix ingredients, test baked goods for doneness, brown meat, and set the table for a family meal. The curriculum comes as loose-leaf paper to make it easier for youth to pull out recipes.
$10.05
4-H Clover Apron
All good cooks need an apron when they are whisking around the kitchen! Cook in style while showing your 4-H pride!
Available in green or white.
$16.99
iCook: Cooking, Eating & Playing Together
Grades: 4-6
Developed by professionals at American land-grant universities, this digital program includes eight 2-hour sessions of instruction to help you learn the ins and outs of cooking and nutrition.
$21.00
Fresh Chefs Cooking Essentials Bundle
Get cooking with the Fresh Chefs Cooking Essentials Bundle. This kit helps your aspiring chef learn their way around the kitchen, with tools designed especially for them. This set includes a spatula, measuring cup set, and 2 Flex-it cutting boards.
$15.99
Fantastic Foods: Six Easy Bites
Grades: 3-12
This food activity guide helps 4-Hers learn about different food ingredients, food characteristics, and food safety issues.
$8.95