University student in need of help - living on my own!
I'm about to head to university (McGill, woohoo!) this fall, and I will be living on residence. I do have an apartment style rez, which means no meal plans. I'm pretty happy for this, because I do cook at home and this will be a good way to continue my love for food.
I'm going to be taking a toaster and slow cooker over there from home; the oven/stove and refrigerator are already there. I know I can do a lot of cost/time effective meals with the slow cooker, but I do need some recipes, beyond knowing how to cook dal and beans (which are about the only things I can cook in the slow cooker).
What do you serious eaters recommend for taking in terms of pots/pans and kitchenware? Keep in mind I will be sharing my apartment with one other person.
As well, I have another question for anyone living on res, sharing a roommate, or people who cook for themselves: how do you manage the grocery shopping, and the sharing (if any) of kitchen tools or pantry staples?
I don't want to be eating ramen noodles for 4 years, but I still want to be able to control my budget. As well, McGill University is about a 7 hour drive to my parents' place, so going back and forth is not an option.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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18 Comments:
Congratulations! McGill Alumnus here...
When I had student roommates we shared dishes and cooking implements but not food. Sharing food is a recipe for disaster... When we ate together we usually did mini-potluck, with each of us contributing a dish.
Try to get at least a large pot (for pasta etc...) and a medium saucepan, and a frying pan. Don't get great stuff as it may get ruined by others cooking in your kitchen. Ask around, family and friends often have extras to contribute to your cause. If you need anything Montreal has great discount/dollar stores, and the St-Laurent street sale the 1st week of September. IKEA is pretty good to and accessible by Metro and bus.
Montreal is a great food city. Are you at Solin? It's near the Atwater Market which is wonderful.
Good luck! Have a beer for me at Open Air Pub!
PeanutButter at 8:15PM on 07/03/09
First of all, congrats on your sweet set up! I lived in a dorm for two years, which was not conducive to cooking!
As for sharing a grocery bill, or shopping, just have an agreement to share everything, or label shelves. Most importantly, as far as roommate relations, really try not to be nit-picky about little things, like sharing leftovers or rolled oats.
Sounds like you are pretty well stocked with a toaster and slow cooker (loved using the one I had while house-sitting!). I would recommend freezing foods ahead of time for those late nights of getting home from lab, and busy nights of studying. I would def. takes pots that you don't care about scratching, as you never know who may be using them in an apartment.
Otherwise, enjoy college! No matter how much you hear it --- it's like no other time in your life! Live it up, study hard, and have no regrets! This comes from a 23-year old whose about to start Grad School! I can't seem to get out of Academia!
toasteebagel at 9:04PM on 07/03/09
Good luck with school, I was stuck in a dorm my first 3 years, so I'm always jealous of those who get apartments sooner, especially since we were only allowed hot pots.
I completely agree with PeanutButter, share dishes, cooking equipment, but keep food individual. My roommate was my best friend, so we went shopping together before moving in, and chose dishes and fairly cheap cookware, gadgets, and split that bill. We also grabbed anything our parents wanted to hand down to us.
It was just easiest to split foods because we had different tastes, due to health issues I'm on a high protein, high salt diet, so it was critical for me to have salty snacks around that I knew only I would eat. If we were going to cook together, like taco nights, double dates, etc. we'd go shopping together and share the bill. I just think it's too much of a pain to share, especially when you are busy, there is just nothing worse than thinking you have certain ingredients and finding out someone else has used them, when you don't have the time/money to replace them yourself.
As for recipes, I suggest you head to your library for some cookbooks, find ones you really like and buy them, and practice some meals at home before you go. Cooks Illustrated has a new Cooking For Two book that I think is great, there are also other books out there for cooking for one or two, another favorite is Small Batch Baking by Debby Maugans Nakos.
bobcatsteph3 at 9:38PM on 07/03/09
Invest in a good set of tupperware. You're going to have some busy times freezing leftovers for later will be handy when you're poor/super busy. It will also help with taking lunch with you (eating out ends up being a huge drain on the wallet)
Things I found useful in college cooking:
-crock pot
-toaster oven
-deep baking pan (for lasagna/brownies)
-pizza pan (frozen pizzas are cheap if you don't have time to make your own, also good for baking cookies,)
-small frying pan (grilled cheese sandwiches are quick and delicious)
-3 qt pot for pasta/rice/etc
-water pitcher (I love my Brita) and water bottle
-wooden spatula/spoons (silicon is also useful)
I also like to stock up on dried fruits and nuts and make trail mix or granola bars. You will become a pro at snacking since you'll be running to and from class/library/lab/etc. Canned tomatoes are very useful for throwing together a quick sauce. I also had carrot sticks, hummus, salsa and tortilla chips available at all times.
A lot of college libraries will have cookbooks in the stacks so you should be able to find stuff whenever you feel the need for something new.
gingercookiewithlime at 10:42PM on 07/03/09
The internet has any recipe you will need. Just google it and it will come to you.
ocarol at 11:41PM on 07/03/09
what type of slow cooker? I f it is a crock pot, there are hundreds of things you can cook in it, some you might have to give a good sear to to get really good taste, but I have made beans, spaghetti, roasts, stews, vegetarian dishes, and other great dishes in one.
dragonfiregrill at 11:42PM on 07/03/09
@browntown--I couldn't help noticing that you said your main repertoire was daal and beans--if you don't mind my asking, are you Indian? I only ask because many people I knew from Southeast Asia, when they went away to uni, complained how NOTHING compared to their mother's cooking--they were all very 'food homesick' at first. I think it's great that this is motivating you to begin cooking--as well as everyone else's great suggestions, you might want to ask your parents for some easy recipes and if there are other students with similar tastes as yourself, having 'cooking nights' to replicate some favorite dishes you're used to having at home could be a great way to meat people.
HeartofGlass at 5:55AM on 07/04/09
I'm at school right now, and the way we do it with the first set of roommates is to have separate food except for the things that it was impossible or silly to have multiples of in the fridge - mainly gallons of milk and eggs. We also share baking stuff like flour and baking powder since no one really bakes enough to use up a whole thing of flour on their own. There are enough cabinets for everyone each to have their own cabinet of stuff (well, me and my boyfriend share one, I guess we count as one person :-P)
Otherwise we share dishes and cooking equipment, which is awesome since one of my roommates has an awesome set of knives. I agree with the advice about not taking anything really nice - while we've managed not to destroy that wonderful knife set, college students are in general incapable of not breaking dishes or understanding the concept of not piling large amounts of dishes on top of your new pans. >.
I got by for a year with a pan or two, two pots, some crappy knives for cutting, and cutting boards. I gradually bought more stuff as I needed it, as I got tired of doing ghetto things like mixing cake mix in one of the pots because I didn't have a mixing bowl.
katalyst23 at 8:50AM on 07/04/09
Get a microwave! Even if you are an extreme foodie, you will have leftovers, and you won't want to cook every night.
As for grocery bargains, avoid Sobeys, Overwaitea, and Safeway. Superstore is your best choice, even if it is a bus ride away. Get club packs of chicken thighs, pork shoulders, and other cheap cuts that taste so much better when slow cooked.
Prep prep prep! Don't buy the pre cut carrots, they're so much more than the regular ones, and you can't avoidf the undeniable slimy taste.
Enjoy university!
michichan at 9:32AM on 07/04/09
I've started putting some easy to prepare recipes together (along with some of the supplies/spices) for our son.
Here are a few to get you started:
Easy Bean Burritos
Place tortilla on wax paper and microwave a couple of seconds to soften it.
Place a couple spoonfuls of refried beans on the tortilla, spreading it down the center.
Add a couple of spoonfuls or salsa on beans.
Sprinkle with grated cheese.
Roll up and cover with the wax paper. Heat 20-30 seconds in the microwave.
Be careful eating. The bean mixture can get super hot and burn your mouth if you microwave too long (like all those hot pockets you’ve blistered from).
Ole’
Hamburgers
Shape patties from the ground beef. Sprinkle lightly with garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper. Pan fry on both sides until done. Add a slice of cheese or grated cheese if you have some. Ketchup, mustard, mayo, mmmm. Burgers.
Simple Supper Tomato Soup
Prepare the tomato soup with milk or half milk/half water. (Follow directions on the can.)
Make a serving or two of Minute Rice or cook some macaroni. Put rice or macaroni in the heated soup.
Eat.
Add seasonings, a small can of diced tomatoes or parmesan cheese if desired. (Included a can of diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery and onion to add to the soup if you want to.)
Egg & Toast
Pretty self explanatory. Fry or scramble the eggs in a little melted butter in a non-stick pan. Eat with toast or buttered bread.
Easy Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Peel and dice the onion. In a medium sauce pan, pour enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan 1/8 inch deep. Add onion and cook over medium high heat until transluscent, stirring occasionally. Add the Italian sausage and brown, breaking the sausage into small pieces with the back of a spoon while cooking.
When the sausage is browned, add the large can of Di Fratelli Italian Sauce and the small can of diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, stirring to combine. Add a pinch of garlic powder and a spoonful of Italian seasoning, Stir to blend.
Cook over medium heat until the sauce starts to bubble. Reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer 30 minutes, stirring frequently so the bottom doesn’t scorch. Reduce heat further if needed.
Meanwhile, prepare the pasta in salted, boilng water. Drain and return to pasta pot. Spoon some of the sauce over the noodles. Stir to coat them with sauce.
Spoon the pasta onto a plate or bowl, add more sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Mama Mia! You didn’t even KNOW you were such a good cook!
Refrigerate leftovers. (This is basically how I make my sauce and you KNOW how good that is. Now you can make it too.)
Vegetable Mania
Cook the frozen vegetables per package directions. Mix with cooked minute rice, cooked macaroni or prepared ramen noodles for a quick dinner. Add a dash of hot sauce and some parmesan chees if you want.
CJ McD at 12:13PM on 07/04/09
Tell us what foods you like and we can offer recipes.
Make simple, but large batches of things like chili, soups, stews, spagetti sauce, taco meat or pulled pork, etc. on weekends. Freeze some for later and eat the rest during the week.
Keep tortillas, eggs, pasta, rice, frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes, canned beans (black, refried, cannelini, etc.) on hand for quick, easy, economical dishes. Scrambled eggs wrapped in a tortilla with some salsa...breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Stock your pantry with a few basic seasonings to bump up the flavors of what you are cooking. (garlic powder, Itailian seasoning blend, ground cumin, seasoned salt, lemon pepper, chili powder, grated parmesan cheese, soy sauce, salsa, hot sauce, boullion, etc.)
Pot roast is simple and great to make in a crock pot. You can eat as pot roast or shred it serve on rolls with provoline cheese for a hot dip sandwich.
CJ McD at 12:24PM on 07/04/09
Stuffed baked potatoes are easy and tasty too.
Bake large russet potatoes in a 350 to 400 degree oven or toaster oven. (don't forget to scrub them well and give them a poke or two). (You can microwave them too if time's an issue. Just won't have that nice, crispy skin.)
Stuff with topping of your choice- steamed broccoli and shredded cheese, chili and cheese, saute'd mushrooms, onions and sour cream, etc.
Ideas are endless.
Make simple, home made pizzas our of whole pitas. Brush with a little olive oil, top with canned pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella (or what you have) and toppings of your choice (peperoni, leftover chicken, bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, etc.) Bake in your oven or toaster oven.
Don't forget to add some vegetables or make a simple side salad.
CJ McD at 1:16PM on 07/04/09
I agree with sharing kitchen supplies and not food, although occasionally you can take turns sharing meals.
Toaster ovens are great and I find that a Magic Bullet is a great sized blender for one person (although I use my blender attachment these days). Canadian Tire sells them. Canadian Tire is good for appliances in general. They always have sales.
Buy as little as you need. Don't buy uni-task items such as garlic presses because they're a waste (unless you'll use it often). Keep track of what belongs to you and what belongs to your roommate so that when you stop living together you don't debate what belongs to whom.
Potlucks with friends are great.
Good luck at McGill. I know many alumni.
CanadianFoodieGirl at 9:29PM on 07/04/09
Just a tip-sometimes during back-to-school sales, places like Superstore have a kitchen "starter kit" with all the utensils, measuring cups/spoons etc. for a good price. I also have tons of hand-me-downs from grandparents/aunts etc. Garage sales might be fruitful for supplies too.
As sad as this is, buy some labels so you can identify your food-this is to avoid arguments, believe me. Set some kitchen ground rules too e.g., expectations for when dishes are done, so you don't have to move someone else's dirty dishes out of the sink 15 times in a week (a friend of mine had so many arguments with his roommates about this that they each bought a rubbermaid container to put their dirty dishes in until they felt like cleaning them, so they could avoid this problem-ewwww!) and when you'll be cooking/cleaning. I ran into trouble when I had a half hour before a night class and my roommate was using the oven, stove, counter etc. I guess these are more "getting along with your roomates tips" than kitchen tips... I've had some wacky roommates-can you tell?
Best of luck with school! If you're so organized you're already thinking about cooking, you'll do just fine!!
psychsarah at 1:38PM on 07/06/09
If I had to choose from just one appliance, it would be a toaster-oven that also broils. I don't think a toaster is practical; I'm in favor of multi task tools.
SavtaShayna at 4:36PM on 07/06/09
In college I shared staple spices, like cinnamon, salt, sugar, and bulk items like the enormous 10lb bag of pancake mix someone bought, but kept everything else individual. Much less of a hassle. I also kept my good knives to myself after a roommate or two treated them badly.
Definitely important to set up ground rules for washing/use of stuff first thing -- it will save you so much stress in the long run. A rule I'd recommend is that nobody buys anything in bulk they won't eat by themselves without consulting others first. One of my roommates filled our freezer with some disgusting frozen waffles that no one else wanted . . . that did not help us get along!
Skythe at 5:03PM on 07/06/09
I went to UWO, live in rez, shared apt with 4 other people. We only shared kitchen electronics (i.e. microwave, tea kettle, toaster etc), but kept food, utensils, dishes separate. We all had very different food style, so we kept everything separate. We each allocated a cupboard (I kept pots/pans, utensils in mine, pantry items I kept in my room due to lack of kitchen space), a shelf in the fridge, and we label things in the freezer. We took turns stocking toilet paper.
I was pretty lucky, we were all really clean, and got along well. It helped that one room mate was never there. And our rez fees including cleaning service so that helped too.
One strangely tasty recipe I learned from a guy friend, involved can of condensed cream of celery, curry powder, frozen peas and can of tuna. Served over rice.
gnomatic at 8:25PM on 07/06/09
Thanks for all the tips seriouseaters,
I really found the ones about setting ground rules helpful, as it can save a lot of hassle in the future.
@PeanutButter: I'm at Greenbriar. I wasn't into the commute so I picked Greenbriar as my first choice, although Solin was one of my top choices too.
@toasteebagel: Thanks! I think I'll be in school for a long while to come too.
@HeartofGlass: Yep, I'm of Indian descent. The sad part is I can cook almost everything else, to a satisfactory level at least, except for Indian food. Good idea about the "cooking nights".
@CJ McD: Thanks for all the recipes. Those kinds of staple recipes will surely come in handy.
browntown at 11:27PM on 07/09/09