Providing food for yourself every day can be a difficult change after living with family. Eating out costs too much money, and cooking at home can be daunting and time consuming. Is it possible for a meal to be convenient, cheap, and tasty? Maybe not every meal can meet this criteria, but I bet you’ll find what you’re looking for in the recipes below.
Naan Pizza
First, I present to you the naan pizza. Delivery pizza may be appealing, but those charges stack up, and let’s face it, is the pizza even really that good? My dissatisfaction with delivery and unwillingness to make pizza dough from scratch has led me to the delectable naan pizza. It’s easy to make; all you need are some plain or garlic naans (you can buy them at most grocery stores), tomato sauce, mozzarella, and some Italian herbs. Smear the sauce on, grate some mozzarella, sprinkle on the herbs, and stick it in the toaster oven for 5-10 minutes or the microwave for 1-2 minutes. It tastes great and makes a perfect personal pizza.
Creamy Garlic & Chive Mac n Cheese
Boxed macaroni and cheese is a great time saver, but after a while it can get a little plain. So how can you mix it up? With garlic! Now, I put garlic in everything, so maybe I’m biased, but garlic can really change a meal from ordinary college food to something that tastes home cooked. For this recipe, sauté finely minced garlic and butter until golden brown. Then, add it to your favorite boxed mac n cheese and sprinkle a handful of chopped chives on top. I like to add about a ¼ cup of grated sharp cheddar to add some extra cheesiness.
Sesame Ramen with Veggies
Ramen is widely known as a staple of a scholarly diet. Ramen is delicious… until you’ve eaten it every day for two weeks. Sauté some vegetables (I like chopped cabbage, broccoli, and carrots) in toasted sesame oil until tender. If you live in the dorms and don’t have access to a stovetop, you can use frozen veggies instead. Add the veggies, some salt, and sesame seeds. Mix it in with your pre-cooked ramen and you’ve made a no-hassle lunch or dinner.
Coconut Berry Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a classic breakfast for a reason. It’s easy to make, and it’s very filling. Here’s how you can make it even better. Buy rolled oats, and microwave a half a cup with a cup of water or milk for 2 minutes. For this recipe, you want to use a tablespoon of coconut oil and a ¼ teaspoon of vanilla to mix into the oatmeal after it’s cooked. Then, add some sweetened shredded coconut and your choice of berries on top (I like blueberries and raspberries). If you have a sweet tooth, you can drizzle some honey on top as an extra treat.
Herb & Feta Cheese Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein in the morning. To add extra flavor to your breakfast, start by cooking your eggs with butter on low heat, slowly turning them with a spatula. Then, sprinkle in some feta (goat cheese also works well) and stir. Add oregano, chopped chives, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper last. If you like spice, these eggs taste great with your favorite hot sauce.
