Fall semester is just around the corner and move-in day is on the minds of collegiettes across the country. While many students will be returning to the college dorms, a large number will make the big move into our first apartment or off-campus house. The freedom is overwhelming, but with that freedom comes more responsibility, tighter funds, and worst of all – no dining hall. There are no longer fresh veggies washed, rinsed and waiting to be made into a salad. No more smiling servers eager to dish you up some well-seasoned chicken or a perfectly crafted egg white omelet. You’re on your own with limited appliances and limited ingredients.
The good news is that you have options! Collegiettes have perfected the art of making healthy, tasty meals that require minimal ingredients, appliances, and preparation. Not the best cook? No worries. Don’t have an oven? Don’t sweat it. There are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are quick, easy, and most importantly delicious.
Breakfast
Vegetable Mug Omelet
“My favorite thing to make is a mug omelet. Literally the easiest thing ever. You put a small handful of veggies into a ceramic mug, add some egg whites or egg beaters, add some cheese, and then cook it in the microwave. Once it’s done, you can eat it alone or put it between two slices of bread for an egg sandwich. Its super-delish and really healthy!” - Allison Lantero Georgetown 2013
Recipe courtesy of eggbeaters.com
Ingredients
½ cup sliced mushrooms
¼ cup thinly sliced onion
¼ cup chopped asparagus
¼ cup diced tomato
½ cup Egg Beaters Original
1 slice cheese
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. garlic powder
Directions
- Spray your mug with nonstick cooking spray. Add all the veggies to the mug and microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Add Egg Beaters and microwave for another minute.
- Add the slice of cheese. Stir gently, and then microwave for an additional 45-60 seconds, until scramble is just set.
- Let cool and enjoy!
The best part about mug omelets is that you can switch up the ingredients depending on what you’re craving or what you have in the fridge. The recipe remains the same, but feel free to change up the veggies or add in some chicken. Another option is adding in some Morning Star vegetarian ‘sausage,’ a great, protein-filled suggestion that comes from Grace Ortelere at University of Pennsylvania.
Blueberry Oat Mug Muffins
“I recently started making mug muffins because they don’t require a ton of ingredients and they take less than five minutes to make. All you need is a mug and microwave, which makes them perfect for a first-apartment breakfast. There are a ton of variations online, but my favorite is a blueberry-oat variation.” – Hannah Orenstein, NYU 2015
Ingredients
¼ cup oats
1 egg
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. skim milk or soymilk
½ tsp. cinnamon
Handful of blueberries
Directions
- Spray your mug with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the oats, egg, brown sugar, milk, and cinnamon to the mug and mix well.
- Stir in the blueberries.
- Microwave on high 2 minutes.
- Let cool and enjoy!
If blueberries aren’t quite your cup of tea, there are a ton of mug muffin variations to try. Check out these apple cinnamon mug muffins and these banana mug muffins.
Blueberry-Granola Parfait
If you are not feeling a hot breakfast, then a fruit and yogurt parfait is a fantastic option. If created with the right ingredients, parfaits can be filling, protein-rich, and simply delicious. Blueberries are a great addition to any breakfast as they will provide plenty of healthy antioxidants!
Recipe courtesy of marthastewart.com
Ingredients
7 ounces fresh blueberries
¼ tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup original or vanilla Chobani
2 Tbsp. granola
Directions
- In a bowl or glass, spoon 1/3 cup yogurt in to the bottom. Layer half of the blueberries on top and then sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. granola. Place another 1/3 cup yogurt on top, layer with the rest of the blueberries, and sprinkle with the remaining granola.
- Sprinkle the top with cinnamon and enjoy!
