If you’re like me and have zero patience then you definitely hate cooking. For me, meal times are usually spent digging through the freezer to see what will take the least amount of time to microwave. Some of you may have moved off campus and don’t have a meal plan anymore, so you’re left to fend for yourself. The first thing you want to do is keep a fire extinguisher close by and 9-1-1 on speed dial. To help, I’ve complied a list of five simple, quick, and easy recipes that are nearly impossible to mess up.
Salads:
Salads are one of the quickest and easiest meals to make because, essentially, you can add in anything and everything you want. You don’t even need lettuce to make a salad! A tasty, quick, and easy salad is a tomato, cucumber, and bocconcini cheese salad with balsamic dressing. You can add in all types of things to this simple salad such as sunflower seeds, almonds, dried cranberries, even left over chicken strips!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Mac and Cheese:
If you’re like most university students, Mac and Cheese is your go-to-meal when in a hurry or up late studying. Going anywhere further than your own kitchen at 1am is just not happening. Why not jack up that boxed KD a bit and turn it into a fancy gourmet meal. Following their simple and easy stovetop instructions, adding in diced tomatoes and spinach leaves just after draining the pasta will wilt the spinach and soften the tomatoes giving you a more filling and yummy meal.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 7-8 minutes
Grilled Cheese:
Grilled cheese is another popular late night study snack that does not require a lot of prep time or patience. Again, why not spice things up and add in some tomato and bacon, because who doesn’t LOVE bacon!
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Stir Fry:
Stir Fry’s have become a signature university meal; one I have yet to master without something burning. So here’s the first tip: be patient and keep the heat on low-medium! Whether you’re vegetarian or a meat lover it’s a great dish to make that will last for a couple meals. You can add almost anything in such as shrimp, chicken, beef, or tofu. The veggies give your meal a burst of colour so get creative and pick out some yummy favourites. The easiest way, for beginners, is to cook your meat, shrimp, or tofu separate from your vegetables in an oil filled pan. Second tip: make sure any meat is thoroughly cooked so you don’t give your roommates food poisoning (unless one stole your favourite top without asking). White rice is the key to any great stir fry and the directions are pretty simple to follow. Just before the rice is finished, add in your other ingredients. Lastly, add in your sauce (whether it be soy sauce or sweet and sour) to experience mouth-watering goodness. Voila! You have successfully created a delicious university meal!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Breakfast Sandwich
You’ve probably heard this one before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Let’s be honest, how embarrassing would it be if you were sitting next to a cute boy first thing in the morning and your stomach started to make some absurd grumbling noises. Instant red face. Personally, I love breakfast foods but usually get up with about half an hour to get ready before running to class. Breakfast sandwiches are the easiest, most filling meals to make because you essentially just have to cook an egg… I mean, how hard could that be? Well, I have managed to somehow burn eggs too. So again, keep your phone on the table and the heat on low when you’re cooking your eggs. After cooking your egg whichever way you’d like, pop some bread into the toaster and dress up your sandwich with whatever spices or dressings you’d like. You can add in any type of deli cold-cuts and cheese too. That melted cheese makes for the perfect touch to any breakfast sandwich on the go and will give you energy for the day ahead.
Being on your own for the first time and having to cook your own meals doesn’t have to be the most stressful thing. Cooking’s a learning experience so if you burn a few eggs or over cook your pasta stay clam and try again…or just call it a day and order a pizza with extra cheese.