Advice You Can Chew On: Dorm Dishes & Desserts from a Microwave
Welcome back to Advice You Can Chew On! Where you ask anything that pops into your head about food and I respond with my most charming and accurate answers.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend and is looking forward to the weekend ahead. This week we have a couple of questions from a reader who is learning to adjust to limited space and ingredients.
My niece went off to college last week and has just begun classes. Her dorm is kitchen-less, with only a refrigerator and microwave for sustenance. She asked what she can possibly survive on using such limited resources. Seeing how many Collegians are on their own for the first time and facing the same dilemma, I decided to post her college-related food question along with the answer.
Dear (Aunt) FreeSpiritEater,
As you can see through my webcam, I only have a microwave and fridge. I love salads, but not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Can you please recommend some ideas so that I won’t starve this semester?
Sincerely,
Ashley C. Boston, Mass
Dear (Niece) Ashley,
College is such an eye-opening and exciting time. I would hate for you to have to be worrying about your next meal rather than using that time to study. Having limited resources simply means having to be more creative. I know space is limited, so I am not suggesting to buy all of them at once, but they are versatile ingredients that will come in handy for more than one recipe.
Rotisserie Chicken (Flickr Creative Commons)
Refrigerator & Freezer
- Milk, 1/2 gallon
- Your favorite cheese (preferably one that melts easily such as Muenster, brie, or mozzarella)
- Eggs
- Condiments (mayo, ketchup, mustard)
- Hot dogs
- Butter
- Rotisserie chicken
- Head of romaine lettuce
- Pint of ice cream
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
Why rotisserie chicken you may ask? If you shred it off the bone, you now have the choice of sprinkling the chicken and the cheese onto tortillas (maybe some crumbled Doritos too) and place in the microwave. Or better yet, iron it for a crispier texture. I know it sounds weird, but as long as your iron is clean, you can make grilled cheese sandwiches, toast, and quesadillas. Sour cream and lettuce on the side are a nice added touch, and your sour cream won’t go to waste if you also use it to make mashed potatoes. The shredded chicken may also be tossed with BBQ sauce for a quick pulled BBQ chicken sandwich, or subtract the sauce, and replace the bread with a salad for a more filling lunch. You may even microwave pasta, toss with chicken, pesto, or your favorite jarred pasta sauces.
Microwaveable rice paired with a microwave-safe steamer for veggies comes in handy as well. Cheesy mashed potatoes can be made using the same appliance. For breakfast you can mix eggs, milk, cheese, ham, salt, and pepper in a microwave-safe container to make an omelet. A quicker breakfast can be bagel with butter or cream cheese and will not go to waste either when used to make frosting for your microwaved desserts. Hot dogs can be microwaved on high for one minute. They may look a bit weird when removed, but they are fully cooked. The lettuce can be used for salads or adding to sandwiches or wraps.
Microwave Recipe is a great site to refer to for more savory dishes.
Tortillas (Flickr Creative Commons)
Pantry/Closet/Drawers
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Peanut butter
- Honey
- Bread
- Chocolate
- Tortillas
- Canned corn or other veggies
- Jar of favorite nuts
- Microwaved popcorn
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yummy looking post
torviewtoronto recently posted..Fish baked in banana leaf
Thank you! Delighted to hear you think so!
freespiriteater recently posted..Cantaloupe Pops w/ Strawberry Honey Nectar & Coconut Almond Cream Pops
I like this article.Because i love eating.I want to cook this roast chicken
So glad you liked it, thanks for commenting! =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Cantaloupe Pops w/ Strawberry Honey Nectar & Coconut Almond Cream Pops
Thanks for featuring and answering this particular question. It’s very applicable to me although I’m no longer in college. The place where I’m staying in right now only has a microwave. So, rotisserie chicken is perfect! Love the tip about the iron, too!
You are very welcome Sheila! Rotisserie chicken from the supermarket is always a quick fix, or can be yummy on its own. If you ever need any more ideas let me know, I love using appliances in an unorthodox manner. I’ve been experimenting with different ways to use a waffle iron, so far, I have not run out of ideas! =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
Gosh, that takes us back to student days! With your clever ideas, I’m sure they’ll end up eating like kings – even with limited resources. Wow – and these desserts. Great website on the microwave ideas and what a super series. Jill
Oh wow I’m blushing right now, thank you so much Jill! I’m delighted to see you enjoy the column, I appreciate the kind words! =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
Clever ideas! I once tried boiling an egg in the microwave. The yolk EXPLODED rather loudly and the cleaning took forever. haha
Cheers,
Tobias
Tobias @ T and Tea Cake recently posted..Zucchini Pan Stew
I did the same thing in elementary school! Microwaved an egg for a minute, seconds before the minute was up it exploded and my entire house reeked of eggs for two days lol. What a relief to know I wasn’t the only one silly enough to attempt it =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
Great post! It brings be back to my college years when make-shift cooking was the only way not to eat ramen at every meal (yes, I’ve used an iron to cook.) Again, great post, and best of luck to your niece!
Alyssa recently posted..Oxtail Ragu: A Welcome Home Supper
Ramen noodles and ironed “grilled” cheese, the breakfast of college champions lol. Thanks so much for commenting Alyssa, I will let my niece know you wished her luck. =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
Awesome. I have twin daughters both in college.
Curt recently posted..Beer Mustard Marinade
How exciting that your twin girls are in college, I hope they find the lists helpful! Thanks for commenting Curt =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
this is truly amazing. I think tons of people even who are on a small budget living in these rough economic times need to stick to the essentials and this is a great list for that. wonderful!
Thank you Kimberly! I agree that sticking to the essentials is best during rough times. Glad you found the list helpful =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
These are great ideas! My younger son, who is a junior this year, moved off campus. But I am certain he will primarily be sticking to microwave cooking! Even I like the uses for rotisserie chicken!!! Great post as always! : )
Anne@frommysweetheart recently posted..Warm Irish Cream Shots
I’m so glad you liked my ideas Anne and if your son does stick to microwave cooking at least you know he can still get all the food groups lol Thank you for your kind comment =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Honey Almond Frosting
Thanks Stephanie! I can’t imagine not having space to make a mess and a meal for that long, glad I didn’t have to dorm for culinary school =] Thanks for commenting!
freespiriteater recently posted..Food Network Star: The Official Insider’s Guide to America’s Hottest Food Show- Book Review
this looks wonderful
torviewtoronto recently posted..South Indian biryani and tomato jam
Glad you like it! Thanks for commenting! =]
freespiriteater recently posted..Food Network Star: The Official Insider’s Guide to America’s Hottest Food Show- Book Review
These are great ideas, Ky. I hated living in the dorm when I was in college because I couldn’t really cook and I wanted to so badly!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. recently posted..Spinach and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken