Dorm Cooking Basics: The Recipes

Welcome back to the mini-series, Dorm Cooking Basics!

My new lifestyle began toward the end of my sophomore year of college. I have spent the last year looking for ways to make eating smart easier. It would be easy for me to make excuses during this particular season of my life. After all, most microwavable meals are NOT healthy and the chocolate chip cookies at my university’s to-go services are so. freaking. good.

But I decided not to let those excuses hold me back. I have been learning and trying new things, and this mini-series is my way of sharing what I have learned with you. Most of my readers have busy schedules like me, but they also have full-sized kitchens and many more appliances at their disposal. So take a look at my basics, create some basics of your own, and stick to them. No excuses anymore, mkay?

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Today’s focus is on five simple meals/snacks that can be made easily in a typical college dorm room. Let’s dig in!

Breakfast Sandwiches
Top a multigrain English muffin with a slice of ham and reduced fat cheese. Scramble one egg in a small ramekin and microwave for 1 minute, 30 seconds (not too long or the egg will pop). Add egg to English muffin. Optional: add a tablespoon of salsa for more flavor

Oatmeal
Don’t use the instant stuff. You can make your own, better version in the same amount of time. Follow the directions on the side of the container of quick oats. The fun part is experimenting with different toppings! My favorites include: bananas and nuts, nuts and maple syrup, apples and cinnamon, peanut butter, or fresh blueberries.

Smoothies
There are almost endless possibilities when it comes to smoothies. Most of my favorites start out with a simple base of nonfat plain Greek yogurt and a banana, maybe a splash of milk. My blender doesn’t handle ice very well, but if yours does you might consider adding ice as well. Two of my favorite smoothies are:
-Banana, Greek yogurt, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg
-Banana, Greek yogurt, apples, almonds, cinnamon

Dessert Yogurt
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 Tbsp. peanut butter, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, chocolate chips …it’s like a healthy cookie dough!
- Vanilla Greek yogurt, sprinkles, chopped peanuts …let it freeze and you have fro-yo so good you won’t be disappointed about missing Sundae Sunday in the caf.

Fruit & Nut Bowl
This has been my favorite snack this year. Slice up a banana, chop some strawberries and almonds, sprinkle a little cinnamon on it all. It’s that easy, and it’s filling and delicious too!

 

Sorry, no pictures because I wrote this over Christmas break.