From One Student to Another: Quick, Easy, Dorm-Approved Recipes

Do you know what a college student’s ultimate weakness is? It’s food. Food is pretty much the only thing that separates us from being categorized as zombies — that and the fact that our brains are fully functional (most of the time).

Food is the one motivation we have to get up in the morning, a positive reinforcement when studying last minute for an exam, and the number one thing we look forward to during the holidays. However, the holidays are over, and even though the campus cafeteria has improved significantly, we need sustenance: cheese, bread, and more cheese. 

Lucky for you, I have been doing some research. Below are five recipes that have been given five-star ratings by a few of your fellow classmates. These recipes are cheap, delicious, and even dorm-room-approved. Don’t just take my word for it; try these recipes for yourself.

Recipe #1: Omelet in a Mug

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of milk
• toppings of your choice (shredded cheese, tomatoes, chives, bacon, ham, etc.) 
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Coat a microwave safe mug with oil, butter, or some kind of cooking spray.
2. Add eggs to mug and whisk together with a fork.
3. Add toppings: protein, cheese, tomatoes, salt and pepper. (Tip: Using seasoned salt adds even more flavor!)
4. Mix together all ingredients.
5. Microwave for one minute, then stir to break up any larch chunks of egg.
6. Cook for another 45 seconds.
7. Finally, add extra toppings (optional).

“Honestly, I didn’t think this recipe would be any good. Eggs in a mug? That’s weird. But it tasted so good!”

Amber Cordle (BC Senior)

Recipe #2: Pizza Quesadillas  

Ingredients:

• tortillas (any size)
• mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• pepperoni (optional)
• marinara sauce (pasta sauce is fine)

Instructions:

1. Using a microwave-safe plate, place two tortillas side-by-side on the plate.
2. Spread a heaping spoonful of marinara sauce on both tortillas.
3. Sprinkle a handful of mozzarella cheese on each tortilla, and add a preferred amount of pepperoni.
4. Carefully assemble the two tortillas together, then add another plate on top of the quesadilla in order to compact everything together.
5. Microwave quesadilla in between plates for approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds (Depending on how much cheese you used, time could vary.).
6. Cut quesadilla into slices and eat!

“I could see myself eating this while watching The Office!”

Hayley Moore (BC Senior)

Recipe #3: Fancy Ramen

Ingredients:

• one pack of ramen (flavor of your choice)
• garlic (powder/salt is sufficient)
• 1/2 a pack of steamed veggies
• protein (chicken, beef , shrimp, tofu, etc.)
• optional toppings (hot sauce, bacon bits, herbs, lime, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Add the advised amount of water according to the ramen packaging in a microwave safe bowl, and then microwave the noodles for approximately 3 minutes 45 seconds.
2. Once noodles are cooked, pour in the pack of powder mix and a pinch of garlic powder/salt. Stir together.
3. Add cooked protein and veggies, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Let ramen sit in microwave for a minute to steam.
4. Get creative with your toppings!
5. Enjoy! 🙂

“I didn’t realize being a broke college student could be so boujee! This totally changed my outlook on ramen.”

Taylyn Strange (BC Senior)

Recipe #4: Broccoli and Cheese Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 boil-n-bag of rice
• water
• 1/2 cup steamed broccoli
• 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch (corn flour)
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 4 tablespoons of shredded cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a microwave safe bowl, follow the instructions for the boil-n-bag rice (Tip: place a plate on top of the bowl to cook even faster.). Keep an eye on it as it cooks since the water can overflow.
2. Once rice is fully cooked, mix in cornstarch, milk, cheese, and salt/pepper. Mix together.
3. Microwave mixture for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
4. Enjoy! (Beware, the mixture may be very hot!)

“This tastes like home.”

Laura PASTEL Mays (BC Senior)

Recipe #5 Brownie in a Mug

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of flour
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of oil (coconut oil is my favorite!)
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1/3 teaspoon of vanilla
• chocolate chips (optional)
• whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Using a microwave safe mug, add all ingredients into a mug and mix.
2. Microwave for approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
3. Top with whipped cream or ice cream (optional).
4. Boom! You’re done.

“How is this so yummy? It only took like five minutes.”

Amber Cordle (BC senior)