Recipes for a College Student
I am a first year undergrad student living in a dorm on a college campus. Although the food here isn't bad (I think ranked #6 in the nation) it does get pretty boring after a while. Especially for a foodie like me.
I want to cook a few of my own meals to save some money, eat more healthily, but mainly because I really miss cooking. I used to cook a lot at home and highly enjoy it. Also, it is a good stress reliever (midterm season!).
I have access to a full kitchen that is equipped with an oven, electric stove range, sink, fridge, and freezer. I also have a mini fridge(no freezer) and a microwave in my dorm room. I can get to a mainstream grocery store(Schnucks) or a Whole Foods if necessary. The problem is I do not have much cookware. I did go to Target and get some basic supplies, and I hope I can find recipes that use the equipment I have so far so I don't need to buy more.
I have:
rice cooker, mini cutting board, a horrible knife, decent 9" frying pan with rounded sides (no lid), small pot with lid from the rice cooker that I can use as a pot, cereal bowl, small plate, tupperware and a pyrex to store food
It's not much to work with, but I can make things like one pot meals, stir fries, pasta, etc.
So I want to ask for recipes that are easy to make with minimal ingredients and minimal equipment. Ingredients that I can buy and use all up would be best. For example, something with tomatoes, so I can buy a few tomatoes and use them all up as opposed to a recipe that calls for 1/2 cup flour, where I would have to buy a whole sack of flour that I won't end up finishing. I am willing to buy more cookware if it is worth it (multi-taskers or things I can use frequently).
Might I also mention that I prefer vegetarian recipes, and I don't mind if I make a pot of something and eat leftovers for a few days after. Actually, that would be preferable so I don't need to cook everyday.
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28 Comments:
Get a slow cooker. If you had one, you could put a stew or soup on in the morning, and then it would be ready at dinner time.
beth1 at 1:31AM on 10/08/09
A slow cooker got me through college. You can make stews or bean soups for pretty cheap and they reheat well/smell really good when you come home after a long day of classes. I also think a frying pan might be helpful for quick grilled cheese sandwiches.
gingercookiewithlime at 7:43AM on 10/08/09
101 cookbooks had a post on this, though I haven't read all the comments.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/dorm-food-ideas-recipe.html
hopefully you'll find something useful!
hmw0029 at 8:04AM on 10/08/09
There's a great book http://www.healthycollegecookbook.com/ that I had years ago and still use from time to time for basic recipes that are easy and useful.
Desktop_Gourmet at 8:05AM on 10/08/09
is your pyrex just for storing food, or is it big enough to make something in? because then you could make casseroles, lasagne and other baked pastas (stuffed shells, baked ziti, mac and cheese, etc.), roast vegetables, etc. - and a lot of those things can be pretty simple, you just layer everything in the dish and bake it and you can vary the ingredients and use up everything you bought.
quesadillas are also a quick meal that you can make in your frying pan, you could add in bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms or other vegetables to make it more nutritious/substantial.
if you like rice and beans, that's a cheap and easy way to make meals for the week, and you can vary the flavors by region (for example, make mexican rice & beans one week, using tomato sauce, stock, and lots of onions; the next week, jamaican rice & peas with red beans, using coconut milk, jalapenos and thyme).
billyburgwife at 9:18AM on 10/08/09
You can do a lot in your rice cooker. I've seen people make stews, cook beans, and bake cakes in rice cookers... what I've done is to cook rice and some sauteed ingredients (like chicken & veggies) in chicken broth in a rice cooker. That's one meal.
If you want fast & quick Asian vegetarian, eggs, tempeh and tofu are your friends. In our area Trader Joe's tofu is the cheapest (they also carry tempeh).
A block of tofu is kinda a lot for one person, but you can salt cure the leftover tofu. generously salt a slab of tofu, wrap it with paper towels, and keep it in a fridge in a tupperware. after >12 hours discard the water came out of tofu, and change the paper towels. ready to eat in 1.5- 2 days: It's a lot firmer than regular tofu, so it's like having a different kind of ingredient. (it's delicious pan-fried).
Tofu rice bowls (scrambled tofu with vegetables on rice- I like mine with soy & sesame oil & chili, but you can do so many different seasoning combo) and egg rice bowls (fried eggs with drizzle of hot sauce, sesame seeds, tons of nori/seaweed with steamed vegetables are fast and healthy.
If you go to the Brentwood Trader Joes/Target, World Market is also there. they carry interesting ethnic ingredients and spices.
hmw0029 at 10:05AM on 10/08/09
I think I'll try making beans and rice in my rice cooker and make a stir fry of veggies and tofu. I do love tofu, and I can eat a whole block within a few days!
Thanks for these suggestions.
@billyburgwife: My pyrex is not bakeware, I think it is only meant to store foods. Or is all Pryrex oven safe? Mines is round with a diameter around 7" and about 2.5" deep. Maybe I can bake a mini casserole in it?
jo_wang at 3:11PM on 10/08/09
wow hmw0029- just did a quick check through the link you provided. Great suggestions.
CJ McD at 10:03PM on 10/08/09
Beef Stir Fry (Meals in Minutes)
1 pound beef boneless sirloin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups water
1 package (3 ounces) Oriental-flavor ramen noodle soup mix
1 package (16 oz) fresh stir-fry vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, snow pea pods and bell peppers) (4 cups)
1/4 cup stir-fry sauce
Remove fat from beef. Cut beef into thin strips. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook beef in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown. Remove beef from skillet; keep warm.
In same skillet, heat water to boiling. Break up noodles from soup mix into water; stir until slightly softened. Stir in vegetables.
Heat to boiling. Boil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in contents of seasoning packet from soup mix, stir-fry sauce and beef. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until hot.
CJ McD at 10:13PM on 10/08/09
Easy Pork Skillet (Minute Meals)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 pound ground pork or pork tenderloin, cut into 1/8-inch strips
2 packages (3 ounces each) pork-flavored ramen noodles
1-1/2 cups water
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 3/4 inch pieces (1 cup)
1 cup broccoli flowerets
4 medium green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces (1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons parsley flakes, if desired
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Heat 12-inch skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil; rotate skillet to coat side.
Add pork; stir-fry about 5 minutes or until pork is no longer pink.
Gently break apart noodles. Stir noodles, seasonings from flavor packets and remaining ingredients into pork. Heat to boiling. Boil 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are completely softened.
CJ McD at 10:13PM on 10/08/09
Pasta Tuna Milano
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large clove fresh garlic, finely minced
1/2 large green pepper, medium dice
1 medium onion, medium dice
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
**1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1- 28 oz. can good quality tomato sauce (Di Fratelli brand is a good choice)
1 14 oz. can good quality diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can italian tuna packed in olive oil, drained and flaked (tonno)
1 1/2 cups pimento stuffed green olives, rinsed, drained and sliced or roughly chopped
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan or asiago cheese (more to taste)
1 lb. pasta
*1 Tbs. olive oil (optional)
In a 4 qt. saucepan, add olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic, **red pepper flakes, green pepper and mushrooms over medium heat, until the vegetables are tender (about 15 min.) Add the basil and oregano, stirring to blend. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.
Add the tuna and olives. Stir in lemon juice and cheese, stirring well. Simmer an additional 5 minutes to heat through.
In a pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente. Drain cooked pasta. (Optional step- Toss pasta with one tbs. extra virgin olive oil before serving with sauce.)
Serve sauce over cooked pasta, with additional grated cheese.
Variation- Use sliced black olives in place of green olives.
CJ McD at 10:14PM on 10/08/09
Asian Chicken and Noodles (Meals in Minutes)
8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 bag (16 ounces) fresh stir-fry or chop suey vegetables (5 cups)
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (3 ounces)
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
Cook and drain fettuccine as directed on package.
Spray wok or 12-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken; stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Add vegetables and mushrooms; stir-fry about 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Stir in hoisin sauce. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add fettuccine; toss until well coated and heated through.
CJ McD at 10:14PM on 10/08/09
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 cheese if you want.
Bodega Beans
http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/2008/05/city-kitchen-chronicles-bodega-beans.html
eggs, tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, tortillas, pitas, rice or minute rice, pasta, lentils, couscous, ramen noodles, canned beans (cannelini, chick peas, pinto beans, black beans, etc.) , refried beans, green chiles, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, hot sauce, jarred salsa, boullion, basic spices (garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, cumin, ginger, lemon pepper, etc.), mustard, sesame oil, siracha, dry soup mixes (crock pot’s friend), parmesan cheese and grater, soy sauce
cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu, cheeses (feta, cheddar, mozzarella
Italian sausages with peppers and onions (on a roll or over pasta)
Stir fried rice
tabouleh
grilled cheese or grilled sandwiches
pasta salad
sesame noodles
chana masala
crock pot chili (eat as is, with mac or mac & cheese)
simple soups
bean burritos, red or yellow rice, guacamole
microwaved, stuffed potatoes
V-8 based vegetable soup
pita pizzas (sauce, pepperoni, grated mozzarella and other toppings) Can make pizza-dillas too (in a tortilla, like a quesadilla)
poach chicken breasts and use throughout the week in salads and sandwiches
**********ask for a decent knife for Christmas
CJ McD at 10:15PM on 10/08/09
I agree with CJ McD on a decent knife :-)
..and Pyrex storage containers (not the lids, of course) are oven safe. I use mine for baking all the time.
hmw0029 at 10:39PM on 10/08/09
@CJ McD Thanks for all those recipes! Haha, that was seriously a lot of good suggestions. I do not eat meat, though, but I am good at making recipes vegetarian, so even meat recipes are helpful.
If I end up cooking more, I will definitely buy a better knife. I have a very good knife at home, but I didn't bring it with me because I wasn't planning on cooking a lot and my family needs it more than I do.
I am going to experiment with what I can make with my rice cooker. It is a pretty cheap and wimpy one, but I am going to push its limits. Besides beans and rice that I am planning to make, I am going to try to make an apple crisp thing by tossing sliced apple with cinnamon and sugar, and topping with oats, cinnamon, and sugar. Hopefully the topping will cook from the steam, and the apples will get soft. Do you think this will work? I'm sure nothing can go wrong with apples, cinnamon, and sugar ;)
I have some grocery shopping to do this Friday!
jo_wang at 12:33AM on 10/09/09
I wish you'd mentioned you didn't eat meat. But the recipes are easy to modify. Firm tofu works very well. So do soy crumbles.
One of my favorite speedy meals is cannelini beans in tomato sauce.
Saute' a small onion and sliced clove of garlic in olive oil until tender. Add a large can of tomato puree or diced tomatoes with sauce. Add a can of drained and rinsed cannelini beans. Toss in some dried Italian seasoning, fresh basil, a couple dashes of hot sauce and let simmer about 15-20 minutes. (Long enough for rice or pasta to be done). Serve over rice or pasta with lots of parmesan cheese. Add a salad or steamed greens. Heaven.
Also love chickpeas and spinach (or chard) saute's with garlic and hot pepper flakes. Toss with pasta or rice.
You can make apple quesadillas too. Slice apple very thin. Spread tortilla with softened cream cheese or thin layer of mild cheese (brie, even cheddar works), Add whatever else you like- raisins, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, etc. Dust with cinnamon sugar, fold over half, then grill.
Sort of a warm, hand held pizza pie.
CJ McD at 11:22AM on 10/09/09
These recipes are camping recipes using dehydrated ingredients and condiment packets, but the ideas are great for inspiration and perfect for dorm cooking.
http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/types/vegetarian
CJ McD at 1:32PM on 10/09/09
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianfamilies/qt/collegeveg.htm
It's a blog called Vegan Dorm.
http://secretspicy15.livejournal.com/ (great suggestions and recipes)
http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=80213&ls=o (some of the recipes are vegetarian)
This recipe sounds tasty- http://www.recipezaar.com/Three-Cheese-Spinach-Pie-99137
http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-basics/making-bento-lunches-dorm-room (great tips and suggestions for posters)
CJ McD at 1:49PM on 10/09/09
Another idea- cremini or portobello mushroom stroganoff. Or creamed mushrooms on toast.
You have a rice cooker? More recipes:
http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-basics/making-bento-lunches-dorm-room
CJ McD at 1:59PM on 10/09/09
I would like to recommend Nigel Slater's fantastic cookbook called "Fast Food". As the title indicates, it's about food that does not require a lot of equipment or days of prep. I think the recipes would work really well with the cooking equipment that you've got on hand. Try the linguine with whole garlic, goat cheese, and thyme. It's heavenly and probably the longest prep time, at ~25 minutes.
AnnieNT at 3:33PM on 10/09/09
i'm not a college student anymore, but I have never had a large kitchen to cook in... If I were you, I would also get a toaster oven for my room. I make loads of things in small pyrex molds in my B&D toaster oven. Here are a few ideas you might like...
Baked Penne - this recipe you don't even need to boil the pasta ahead of time...
Baked Pasta and 4 Cheeses , - great for impressing a date
Blue Cheese Mac & Walnuts - equally impressive if your date likes blue cheese
Caprese Quesadilla - an italian version of the Mexican favorite
Baby Spinach Pasta - don't know if you have a mini food processor, but the sauce you don't even need to cook it.
mushroom-stuffed mushrooms
Vegetarian Ceasar Salad - without anchovies or eggs...
MadelynRodriguez at 5:04PM on 10/09/09
Update: I am excited to share the details of my first meal cooked in my room! Tonight I made beans and rice. It was a little bland because I forgot to pick up some ingredients, but it is basically just uncooked rice, can of tomato sauce, and red kidney beans thrown in a rice cooker with water. Next time I will add some garlic or onions and some more seasonings. It didn't turn out too bad. I will definitely improve this recipe, I just wanted to make sure that it would work!
Another little experiment cooking in my room is an apple dessert. I again used my rice cooker. I wouldn't call it an apple "crisp" because the topping doesn't get crispy since it is steamed. However, it is basically the same structure. Apples on the bottom is tossed with cinnamon, sugar, and flour. A topping of oats, flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon is sprinkled on. It is still cooking but it smells REALLY good. I hope it turns out okay...
jo_wang at 7:57PM on 10/09/09
jo_wang-
Sounds like you're off to a great start! Keep a jar of salsa and some hot sauce on hand. They do wonders for almost "everything" that needs a little jazzing up.
Keep us posted on experiments and progress. (We know you're going to be the "dorm magnet" with all those food scents wafting throught the halls.)
CJ McD at 10:42PM on 10/09/09
Easy? Cheap? Healthy?
Bell peppers now come sliced and frozen and aren't expensive. Toss them in a hot pan with a little olive oil. When they start to smell fantastic, break two eggs over them. Add salt, pepper, and then flip. Add some hot sauce (I like green Tabasco) and voila!
You can't beat the price, the cooking time, or the calories.
sawyerriley at 7:14PM on 10/10/09
@jo_wang....YOU ROW?!? where? I am a coxswain! I love foodie rowers, we're the best kind of foodies and rowers... not sure if it's your first year rowing since its your first year in college, but if you have any questions feel free to email me at ajmilad@gmail.com.
veggieout at 10:46PM on 10/14/09
@veggieout- Yes, I do row :) I row for Wash U crew and it is my first year being on the team and I really love the sport! I did try rowing a few times in high school, but I mainly did varsity volleyball. I figured I wanted to try something new so I chose rowing.
That's so cool that you are a coxswain. I always wondered what it would be like to be one... Do you row for a college team?
jo_wang at 12:21AM on 10/15/09
@jo_wang
great program at Wash U, I'm a coxswain for Simmons College in Boston. Will you be in town for head of the charles this weekend?
veggieout at 8:55AM on 10/15/09
@jo_wang - if you have any thrift shops or salvation army places around you may find a better knife for just a few $$s. and you may find other houseware items you could use. good for you. i'm glad you're so resourceful.... you've got a bright future ahead!
pooch at 10:26AM on 10/15/09