The lazy days of summer are gone and the days of busy schedules are here. Whether  you are a student studying for classes, a parent driving children to school or both, finding time to cook can be tricky.  There is a new website ”What’s Cooking: The USDA Mixing Bowl” that will help you find quick, easy low cost meals.

What’s Cooking allows you to search through over 1,000 recipes. You can find traditional quick recipes such as a Fruit Salad or go on an adventure and try new recipes such as Porcupine Sliders or Asian Mango Chicken Wraps.

As a teacher, you can use this site to create a classroom cookbook. For example you could make a cookbook of snacks by following these steps.

1. In the search box, type in snacks.
2. Many of the snacks listed can be made in the classrooms. One recipe you could include would be Friends Trail Mix.
3. Once you find a recipe you would like to include in your class cookbook, click on “Add to My Cookbook”.
4. After you have added all your recipes, hover over the “Cookbook Tab” at the top of the screen and click on “Build My Cookbook”.
5. Follow the instructions on the Build My Cookbook page to create your own cookbook title and cover.
6. Click on “Build My Cookbook” at the bottom of the screen and in a few moments you will have a class cookbook.

As a parent, you will find the Quantity Recipe feature helpful. For example, you can find a lasagna recipe for 12 to 50 servings…perfect for those large family get-togethers!

Take a few minutes this month and explore the website. You will find a lot of quick recipes that children (and adults) are sure to enjoy this fall.

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Mary Schroeder works for the University of Minnesota Extension which helps
to connect community needs with University of Minnesota resources.  Specifically
the Health and Nutrition programs and resources focus on disease & obesity
prevention, healthy school environments, and continuing education for community
professionals.  You can link to the Extension Health and Nutrition website at:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/health/