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Super Easy Cooking for Every Dorm Situation

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

Let’s face it, as excited as we are the first couple weeks of school to have our favorite dining hall staples, they do tend to lose their novelty.   When that happens, instead of groaning about how hungry you are and that there’s ‘nothing to eat,’ try some of these super easy recipes to help keep your hunger at bay while enticing your taste buds.

Recipes for Dorms with Kitchens

Chicken Stir-fry

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbs. olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons pickled ginger
1 cup broccoli
1 cup bell pepper
1 cup mushrooms

Other:
Siracha hot sauce
Rice cooked per package directions

Directions:
1. Heat oil in pan and the add onion and garlic. Sautee until onion is translucent.
2. Add chicken and cook half-way then add vegetables, soy sauce and ginger and finish cooking until chicken is through.
3. Once chicken is cooked through, cover the pan and let the ingredients all simmer together for about 3 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and serve with rice or other side dish of your choice.

Steamed Fish
Ingredients:
1 fillet of fish of your choice
1 lemon
1 leek
1 sprig of basil
1 sprig of cilantro
Garlic and Onion powder.
½ cup of water
1 piece of tinfoil big enough for tenting
1 cookie sheet

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place tin foil on a cookie sheet or other baking pan
3. Wash and chop the leek, basil and cilantro
4. Place fish on tinfoil, juice the lemon on top of it and place the leek, basil and cilantro on top of it. Season with garlic and onion powder.
5. Tent the foil, leaving and opening big enough to pour the ½ cup of water in. Once you pour the water in place in oven for 20 minutes.

Recipes for Dorms with Kitchenettes

Mini Pizzas in a Toaster Oven

Ingredients:
2 english muffins
Pizza sauce
Shredded romano cheese
(optional) pepperoni or any other toppings you may want

Directions
1. Cut the muffins in half and place them cut side up on a baking pan.
2. Add the sauce, cheese and other toppings
3. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Easy Rice Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 cups water
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) package jambalaya mix
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup golden raisin
3/4 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup chopped cashews

Directions:
1. Hit cook and place oil in pan and then add onion garlic; cook and stir for 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add curry powder, cook and stir for 2 minutes.
2. Add water, tomato sauce, jambalaya mix, chicken and raisins. Mix well. 
3. Close lid and hit cook. 
4. After cooker switches to warm, turn off the rice cooker and stir in the yogurt. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cashews. 

Recipes for Traditional Style Dorms

Bean and Cheese Quesadilla

Ingredients:
2 (10 inch) tortillas
½ cup of beans (refried, black or kidney)
1 cup of shredded cheese

Directions:
1. Place 1 tortilla on a large microwave-safe place; sprinkle with cheese and beans. Place the second tortilla atop the bean and cheese layer.
2. Cook on high in the microwave until cheese is melted, about 1 minute.

Baked Potato

Ingredients:
1 either a large russet potato
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
salt and pepper to taste.
3 tablespoons shredded cheese
3 tablespoons sour cream

Directions:
1. Scrub the potato, and prick several times with a fork. Place on a plate
2. Cook on full power in the microwave for 5 minutes. Turn over, and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. When the potato is soft, remove from the microwave, and cut in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper and mash up the inside a little using a fork. Top the open sides with butter and 2 tablespoons of cheese. Return to the microwave, and cook for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.
3. Top with remaining cheese and sour cream, and serve.

Sources:
http://www.toaster-oven.net/Toaster-Oven-Recipes/Mini_Pizzas.htm
http://www.food.com/cookbook/rice-cooker-recipes-80457

Photo Sources:
http://www.thechinesecookbook.com/U1.html
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Microwave-Baked-Potato/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bean-quesadillas/
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/mini-pizzas-55232.aspx

 

Lauren Ruvo is a sophomore at Boston College who is double majoring is Human Development and Communications. Lauren is originally from Las Vegas and doesn't think she will ever get used to the winters in Boston. Lauren writes for The Heights as well as the Boston College branch of Her Campus. In her free time, Lauren loves shopping, traveling, spending time with friends and family, spin class, and cooking. She is very excited about joining the Her Campus team!