Hey guys, I'll be heading to college next year and I'm trying to prep myself for dorm life. Something that's been on my mind is cooking. I have next to no experience, so I'm looking for the easiest meals to cook when I'm at college. Suggestions?
Sure thing! It's good to prepare since dining hall food can get a bit repetitive and sometimes you may just want to treat yourself with a homemade meal. Plus, you can impress your roommates with your culinary (or almost culinary) skills.
The absolute easiest things are ones where you just add boiling water. These are things like instant noodles or oatmeal. Just bear in mind to not rely too much on them as they aren't the healthiest.
If you have a rice cooker, which is a staple appliance in many dorm rooms, you can cook more than just rice! For instance, you can make a simple fried rice. Just grab some pre-cooked, refrigerated rice (or you can cook it yourself), some veggies of your choice (like bell peppers and peas), and an egg.
Another quick one is pasta. Not just simply boiled pasta, but with just a little bit more effort, you can create more elaborate yet easy dishes. For example, sauté some minced garlic in a pan with a bit of olive oil, add canned diced tomatoes, let it simmer for a little, then add your cooked pasta and voila - you've made yourself a simple garlic tomato pasta.
Sandwiches can also be a little more exciting. All you need is a loaf of bread and then just let your creativity flow. For a savory option, try a tuna salad sandwich. Simply mix canned tuna, some mayo, and pickle relish, then spread it on your bread.
If you're looking for something sweet, a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich always does the trick. Or step it up with a banana, honey and peanut butter sandwich.
Finally, you'd be amazed what you can cook with only a microwave. For a healthy option, try a poached egg. Crack an egg into a microwave-safe bowl filled with water, cover it with a plate, then microwave for about a minute.
Just remember to remain open to experimenting and figuring out what you like, and you will be a master of dorm-room cooking in no time! College cooking isn't about gourmet meals, but convenience, simplicity, and a little bit of comfort from home.
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