Simple Recipes for College Students

There are some basic food/supplies that every college student needs for their kitchen. These will vary by taste of food fut there are some basics that you would find in every dorm across the country.

Ramen Noodles: You can find these for anywhere from .25 to .10 cents each. Very economical. The problem becomes that you can tire very quickly of them - even if you try the different varieties. (My daughter is very loyal to her chicken!)

Popcorn: Ok, so this really can't be called an item as a meal - however, some students will call it a meal, snack, midnight break from studying - whatever - it's there in their cabinets somewhere!

Spices: When they have a kitchen and are attempting to cook some of those wonderful recipes you have put in their cookbook, they are going to need spices. If you are not "picky" about your spices - you can find spices at the dollar-type store or Aldi. Don't let them go to the grocery store and buy them - they could spend $3 - 5 on one spice. Teach them to use their money in better ways. Go through your recipes and help find the spices that they might use first: chili powder (chili) Italian seasoning (chicken), onion or garlic powder.

Veggies: One of the best ways to eat veggies to retain their nutritional value is to steam them. For that they need a stove, a pan and a steamer basket. Luckily, a storage bag company has created "steam bags". You put your vegetables in the bags, pop them in the microwave and you have steamed vegetables. The bags can get costly, but if all they have is a microwave, this can guarantee that they get their veggies!

Fruits: This will require that they go to a grocery store or farmers market on a regular basis. There just isn't anyway to keep fruits fresh for very long. Show them the circulars for the grocery stores or sign them up for the on-line sale notices from the stores. Teach them to shop for their favorite fruit when it is on sale. Also Aldi (if you have one in your town) is a great place to shop for fruits.

Photo: rofltosh

Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Ingredients:
6 oz. Uncooked spaghetti
1 lb. Ground beef
¼ c. sliced celery (I leave this out)
15 ½ oz. Jar prepared spaghetti sauce
4.5 oz. Jar sliced mushrooms, drained (I have left this out most of the time also)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
½ t. garlic salt
Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 F. Grease 10-inch pie pan or 9-inch square pan. Cook spaghetti to desired doneness as directed on package; drain. Set aside.

In large skillet, brown ground beef with celery, drain. Stir in prepared spaghetti sauce and mushrooms. Simmer 15 minutes.

Combine cooked spaghetti, eggs, 1/3 c. Parmesan cheese and garlic salt; toss lightly. Place spaghetti mixture in prepared pan. Press evenly in bottom and up sides of pan, forming a crust. Pour meat mixture over spaghetti; cover with foil. Bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove foil; let stand 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 6 servings.

Photo: FotoRita

So what does a college student need in their kitchen? If they are in a dorm room - they will only have enough room for a microwave and a refridgerator. When they get their own kitchen, they can begin to get a few items to cook with.

Pizza Pan: The most basic of all pieces for the college student! Whether it is a frozen pizza or one they create from "scratch" - they will need one of these!

Skillet: This will come in handy for making hamburgers or any other recipe that calls for a little frying/cooking.

Saucepan: This could be used to steam vegetables (stop using the steam bags and buy a steamer), make rice or a number of other things.

Crockpot: Chili is our favorite thing to cook in a Crockpot. The college student could start this in the morning before they go off to class and when they get home and are ready to take a break and eat - it is all ready for them - just like when Mom made supper!

8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan: This is more for those that like to bake during times of stress - bake brownies. A good plate of brownies can get anyone through an all nighter!

Blender: It's not for what you think it's for! Give them some smoothie recipes. Another great way for them to get their fruit! You can freeze the berries (strawberries and blueberries, etc) and then put them into your smoothie and enjoy your fresh fruit!

Photo: roboppy