By Jemma Dooreleyers
Journalism is about educating the people and that is what I am here today to do. It’s November; you are tired, you are stressed, you are running out of money, you are cold – but most of all you are hungry.
I am here today to tell you some fast, easy, cheap, warm comfort food recipes to help you hate winter less.
1. Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
I first came across this while I was in Denmark this summer. They have a special type of oatmeal called “groode” and they put all sorts of things on top. So for this oatmeal, you will need:
- Oatmeal
- Diced apple
- Almonds
- Chocolate chips
- Coconut flakes
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
All of the measurements are up to you.
Boil water and put it in your oatmeal. Add everything on top. Mix if you want. Enjoy.
2. Spaghetti Squash
For $5 at your local grocery store, you can buy a squash, stick in the microwave and have four meals.
What you need:
- Spaghetti squash
- Pesto
- Cherry tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Chicken or Tofu
Cut your squash in half. Stick it in a container with about an inch of water in the bottom. Microwave it for about seven minutes. Once it is mushy, take a fork and scrape the squash into a bowl. Spoon in your desired amount of pesto, tomatoes, feta and pre prepared chicken or tofu.
3. Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a classic If you were ever an older sibling who babysat your younger siblings. You already know that they are the easiest things ever to make. I wish I had something to switch it up but you can never go wrong with the classic cheese Quesadilla.
Here is what you need:
- Tortillas – it’s really your choice if you want white bread tortillas or whole grain tortillas, I’m honestly not going to judge you either way
- Grated cheese – once again the type is your choice, but I personally love a classic marble cheese
- Butter
I feel like it may be an insult to tell you how to make Quesadillas but I’m going to do it anyway.
First heat up a glob of butter in a pan large enough to flatten your tortilla. Spread the butter around. Once the butter is coating the pan, drop your tortilla onto the pan and sprinkle the desired thickness of grated cheese onto the surface.
After the cheese is almost melted, put the other tortilla on top of that. If the bottom tortilla is browned, flip over the quesadilla.
Wait until the other side is brown. Cut into pieces and enjoy.
4. Brown butter sage tortellini
Guys, this one is a real crowd pleaser. It makes the soul happy.
Here is what you need:
- Whole, fresh sage leaves
- Cheese Tortellini
- Butter
- Chicken (optional)
If you are including the chicken, dice it up and fry it in a pan until it is no longer pink on the inside.
While all of this is happening, start boiling water. When the water is boiling, throw in your desired amount of tortellini.
After about 5 minutes with your tortellini in the water, melt butter in a pan. Once it is melted, put about eight sage leaves in the butter.
Fry the sage on low heat. Add the chicken once it is cooked and then add the tortellini once it is cooked. Stir it around and enjoy.
5. Omurice
This is actually surprisingly easy to make. The internet makes it look complicated but it is not.
Here is what you will need.
- Brown rice
- Soy sauce
- Peas
- Carrots
- Peppers
- 3 eggs
- Boursin cheese
First, cook the rice. You can use Minute Rice; it’s easy and fast and you have no time.
While the rice is cooking, chop and wash your vegetables for fried rice. Then once everything is ready, swirl sesame oil around the pan and once it is heated, add the rice, soy sauce, and vegetables.
Turn the burner down to low to make sure the rice doesn’t stick to the pan, otherwise, it will be quite annoying to clean. While the rice is cooking, beat three eggs and a splash of milk in a bowl.
Melt butter in a smaller, separate pan. Pour the egg into the pan and never let it stop moving. Once the egg starts – for lack of a better term – coagulating, you can start leaving it be. When it is almost cooked on the bottom but still runny on top, spoon in three hefty teaspoons of Boursin cheese. In one swift motion, fold your egg into three, around the Boursin.
Then, mold your rice into a “bed” and drop the egg over top of your rice. Cut the omelette in half and enjoy.