When leaving home and going off to university, having a basic knowledge of cooking is a necessity. I hear so many people claiming they cannot cook, and not just students, as if it’s a skill that has to be learned like driving. Sure, if you want to be the next Gordon Ramsay. But if you’re simply trying to make dinner rather than earn a Michelin star, then cooking just comes down to the combination of ingredients that complement each other on a plate. So here are some cheap and easy college meals I picked up along the way during my first year at university. Try them out after you return from a long day of lectures with a rumbling tummy!
Seeing as we eat breakfast at the beginning of the day, then let’s start with this recipe first. Personally, I love stocking up on chicken flavour ramen noodles and keeping them on hand in the cupboard. Because you can eat them on their own, or add basically anything you want and create a completely different dish with every packet. So here is a delicious ramen equivalent of the ‘English breakfast’.
And of course you have to buy yourself some chopsticks, because eating this dish with a knife and fork is just wrong!
The reason I love this dish is because at first it appears like it could be quite complicated, however at a closer look it’s really one of those where you cook everything in one big pot. Maybe you had a horrible walk back to your house after lectures because it was pouring with rain? So put your comfy socks on and sit down in front of The Bake Off with your housemates with this tummy warmer. That’s how we did it in my student house.
Find full recipe here.
Indeed, spaghetti was not invented just to be served as Spaghetti Bolognese. During my first year I saw my housemate create this simple but very delicious dish and immediately proceeded to steal his idea and make my own version. Add some red pesto and a dab of mayonnaise to cooked spaghetti, add grilled chicken strips seasoned with smoked paprika, vegetables of your choice and cover the whole thing in black pepper. Serve with a small side of salad.
If you prefer a recipe you can follow, click here!
Tom Yam Soup originates from Thailand. *Warning* It is famous for being HOT, SPICY and SOUR! Let’s see if you can take the heat.
*Fun fact*
The name ‘Tom Yam’ is derived from two Thai words. ‘Tom’ refers to the boiling process of the soup, while ‘Yam’ means a spicy and sour salad in Thai.
Depending on what recipe you use or what your preferences are, the soup can be made with chicken, shrimp, beef or pork. However, it can be hard to find a reliable recipe on the internet because there are so many variations. When searching ensure the one you choose includes coconut milk as this is the traditional Tom Yam recipe. Otherwise, here is one I prepared (found) earlier!
Being a student myself, I know the advantages to being able to cook for yourself when living at university. Not only is it much more cost efficient rather than living off take-aways; because one cooking session can create enough dinner for 3 days! But cooking with or for house mates is a great way to come together and build friendships. And you can never have too many friends.
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