Too busy to cook?

Not with these menu ideas! Tested with small children underfoot, these suppers come together quickly and deliciously, and even quicker — though messier — if you let the kids help. Consider eating locally when possible; these items, used in this month’s recipes, are available from local farmers: chicken, lamb, honey, milk, eggs and spinach.

Parmesan Baked Catfish

Baked catfish? Quicker and with a lot less fuss and mess than frying, not to mention better for you. The parmesan and paprika make a flavorful coating.

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

3 pounds catfish fillets

Mix all dry ingredients together in a shallow pan. Whisk together the egg and milk in a separate shallow pan. Dip each fillet into the egg mixture, then dredge through the flour mixture, and place in a lightly greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, until fish flakes. Serve with cornbread and coleslaw or summer garden vegetables. Serves nine.

Submitted by Kaye Ratchford, Little Rock, Arkansas

TaDa Drums

Brushing on the ingredients is a great kid activity. Serve this dish with a green salad with ginger dressing and a baked potato.

8 chicken drumsticks or 24 drumettes

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons)

Brush each drumstick with lemon juice, then the soy sauce, then the honey. If you have time, put them all in a baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and leave in the refrigerator for an hour. Bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees, about 20 minutes for the drumettes. Serves four.

Stuffed Lamb Burgers

Lamb burgers stuffed with feta cheese are simple and tasty. Serve this quick dish with fresh baby spinach, either on the bun or as a salad with lemon vinaigrette.

1 pound ground lamb

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

4 ounces feta cheese

4 whole-wheat buns

Fresh baby spinach

Combine the lamb, breadcrumbs and egg. Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Stuff a small cube of cheese into the center of each burger. Be sure the cheese is completely covered by the meat or it will run out all over the grill. Grill on the stovetop or an outdoor grill, 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Serves four.

Have questions? Want to submit a recipe? E-mail me at info@kidscookarkansas.com.