Growing up in a very food-oriented family, I was blessed with amazing food thanks to my mom and dad. Going to college and not being able to eat their food was SO rough, but what made it even worse was the fact that I didn’t have a stove or oven to attempt making their dishes. I found this to be especially challenging when it was -40 degrees out (HWS is basically a tundra during the winter…). I mean don’t get me wrong, EasyMac and frozen meals are great after a night out, or in times of desperation, but sometimes you need some REAL FOOD – Am I right? And no, Domino’s and Chinese take-out at 11 p.m. on Friday night does not count…
Here are some easy, healthy, and yummy recipes to make the food transition a little easier (and avoid gaining the dreaded “Freshman 15”)!
1. Fresh Balsamic Arugula Salad with Tomato, Pine Nuts, and Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
1 bowl of arugula salad
1 large vine tomato
A handful of pine nuts
¼ cup of balsamic dressing
2 tablespoons of shaved Parmesan cheese
A pinch of salt
Cooking Time: Approximately 10 minutes
Preparation:
Begin by rinsing your arugula salad under the sink to remove any leftover dirt (Don’t trust that it says “Pre-washed”!).
Place the salad onto a paper towel and dry the greens with another to get rid of the excess water.
Chop up 1 large vine tomato (grape or cherry tomatoes work too) and put them in the bowl with the arugula.
Rinse off a handful of pine nuts, shake them off and evenly distribute them on a plate on top of a sheet of paper towel. Sprinkle some salt on the pine nuts and put them in the microwave for 1-1 ½ minutes on high. After they’re toasted to a golden brown, drop them off into your salad.
To finish off, pour on the balsamic dressing and add the Parmesan cheese to the salad. Give everything a good mix and you’re all set!
2. Avocado Toast with Spicy Sriracha Sauce
Ingredients:
2 slices of whole-grain toast
1 ripe avocado
1 lime
Srirachia sauce
A pinch of salt
A pinch of pepper
Cooking time: Approximately 5 minutes
Preparation:
Start by mashing your avocado in a small bowl until you reach a smooth and even texture. Slice the lime in halves and squeeze the juice of each half into the bowl and mix with the avocado. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix again to make sure the mash is well seasoned.
Place two pieces of toast onto the microwave turning plate with a sheet of paper towel underneath. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on how crisp you like your toast.
If you’re unfamiliar with toasting toast in the microwave, go here!
When your toast is done, situate the toast onto a plate and spread your avocado mix on top. Add another sprinkle of salt and pepper and drizzle as much Sriracha on the slices as your heart desires!
3. Mozzarella, Spinach, and Tomato Frittata
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of butter (or olive oil as a healthier alternative)
3 large eggs
A handful of spinach
¼ cup of mozzarella cheese
½ diced vine tomato
Cooking time: Approximately 10-12 minutes
Preparation:
In a ramequin (or whatever ceramic bowl you have available), heat the butter in the microwave on high for 3 minutes.
Once the butter is sizzling, stir in the spinach and tomatoes and cook 3 minutes.
Scramble 3 eggs in a bowl adding a splash of milk and a dash of salt and pepper. Once your vegetables have finished cooking, pour in the eggs on top of the vegetables. Cover the ramequin with a plate and set the microwave to cook for another 3 minutes.
Uncover the eggs and top off your frittata with mozzarella cheese, melting it to perfection in the microwave for a final 45 seconds.
4. DIY Margherita Pizza
Ingredients:
1 piece of round pita bread
½ cup of store-bought tomato sauce
½ cup of Mozzarella cheese
½ of a vine tomato
A few basil leaves
Cooking time: Approximately 5 minutes
Preparation:
Place the pita bread on a plate and spread the tomato sauce all over, following with the mozzarella cheese.
Cut the tomato up into thin equal slices and evenly assemble the tomato and basil onto the pita.
Put the pizza in for 1-2 minutes until the cheese has melted, the pita is crisp and everything is nice and warm.
5. Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
½ of a pound of cooked macaroni or your pasta of choice
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (I personally prefer the 4 cheese Mexican blend!)
1 cup of whole milk
A pinch of salt
A pinch of pepper
Cooking time: Approximately 7 minutes
Follow this link to find out how the pro makes the recipe!
Now you have 5 stove-free recipes and can delete the Domino’s phone number! Hit the supermarket and get cooking!
Bon appétit!