How To Cook In A Dorm Room
Impress your new roommate with these cooking smarts
Now that you have the tools to turn your dorm room into a proxy kitchen, it's time to put them to use. All-you-can-eat cereal in the dining hall gets old (trust us), and late-night delivery won't do those future student loans any favors. Though there are books out there devoted to this cause, you have enough reading to do for your classes: Here are the five tips you need to create a meal in your dorm room.
① Ramen
A liberal use of American cheese is one of the most patriotic acts you can perform. It's also a choice way to put that stash of noodle packs under your bed to better use. Instead of using a saucepan, use your hot water maker to boil the water. Since the recipe is coming from one of the left coast's most popular chefs, you can't help but feel classy about it.
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② Cake in a Mug
Science shows that a mini-cake study break boosts exam scores. OK, maybe that's not totally true, but it is confirmed that dorm rooms are the perfect place to make a two-minute cake that you won't have to share with anyone. The flavor combinations are endless, so try one every night to determine your favorite. Because again, science.
③ Steamy Eggs
Turns out, your mug can do a lot. Just think of it as a tall, narrow casserole dish with a convenient handle. Eggs work well in the microwave, so try adding milk, cheese and chips for makeshift chilaquiles. We know you have hot sauce on hand (to doctor up flavorless dining hall food), so take it one step further.
④ Oatmeal
Whether you go hot water maker or the microwave route, you have no excuse for showing up to an early morning lecture on an empty stomach. Either method results in breakfast you can make in less than five minutes and take on the road. Or if you're really worried about being pressed for time, make overnight oats, then all you'll have to do is grab them from the refrigerator on your way out.
⑤ Risotto
This risotto-three-ways recipe from Brit + Co is the ultimate way to impress on a first date. It takes a bit more effort than the others (i.e., 10 minutes rather than two), but it beats dropping your student-job paycheck on a fancy dinner out.