Everyone knows a big part of going to college is the Buffet-style dining halls with slightly-better-than-high school Sodexo food. While eating here is a great way to fill up without spending extra money, you can only eat so much cafeteria food before you wish you had never tasted the stuff. To many college students, there is the other option of making your own food using the minimal resources that are able to be kept in a dorm room. Unfortunately, many students don’t even know where to begin to make decent food with nothing but a microwave and a refrigerator. But there are a few tricks and cheap gadgets you can try out to have access to a cheap, alternate option to the traditional college food.
- Scrambled eggs and bacon:
- Quickie Spaghetti:
- Brownies:
Typically, eggs and bacon sound really good in the morning, however it sounds like so much effort and cleanup that most students wouldn’t even attempt cooking them in a fully stocked kitchen. However, it is actually much easier, less time consuming, and results in easier clean up if done dorm-style. First, take as many eggs as you’d like and 1 tbsp. of milk per egg, then beat them thoroughly in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then repeat. Now that you’re done with the eggs, its time for the bacon, which is ridiculously easy: Buy microwave bacon and heat as per instructions. Then voila! You have a full breakfast and nothing but a bowl and a few paper towels to clean up.
Spaghetti is something enjoyed by all, whether rich, poor, privileged or desperate. It creates a since of nostalgia to a time when you would have a bad day at school, and mom would be at the door waiting with a bowl of spaghettios. A cheap and easy way to recreate this Homestyle delicacy, is as follows: First, take a package of ramen noodles, discard the flavoring, and break it up so as it fits into a red solo cup or a hot cup. Then, ad enough water to encapsulate the entirety of the noodles, and microwave for 3 minutes. Once finished, drain the water and at Kroger brand marinara sauce(typically less than $2 a jar) and mix it in with the ramen. Then, BAM! A little taste of home with only a cup to throw away.
One of my proudest discoveries in my getting prepared for college was this handy little contraption called The Instant Brownie Tray. Its essentially a plastic coking tray with an additional plastic mold for measuring out the ingredients. First, add roughly half a box of brownie mix to the tray(a little more or a little less wont hurt). Then, crack open one large egg and throw it in with 2 tbs of oil with 1 tbs of water. Mix it all up with a fork or spoon, vigorously while getting all the bubbles out. Pop it in the microwave for three and a half minutes, let it cool, and you have 4 perfectly cooked brownies to do with as you wish.
