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Lifestyle

How To Make Aesthetically Pleasing Meals in Your Dorm

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at UIC chapter.

Being a broke college student can be hard sometimes. Scratch that: being a HUNGRY broke college student can be hard ALL THE TIME. There are days where you want to go out but can’t because you don’t have money. While there are days where eating at your campus dining hall just doesn’t sound appetizing. There might even be days where you might not feel like going out. In this case, staying in your dorm sounds just right. Although, limited to standard dorm room appliances, here are ways to make both yummy and aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm. Below I have created some insta-worthy and Pinterest inspired meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. 

Breakfast 

Scrambled Egg Whites With Spinach And Cheese 

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

Egg Whites** – 3 Tbsp

Spinach – ¼ cup

Shredded cheddar jack cheese – ¼ cup

Salt – ⅛ tsp

Pepper – ⅛ tsp

Non-stick spray

**May be substituted for eggs (1-2 eggs)

***NOTE: measurements may vary depending on size of serving bowl

What You Need:

Microwave

Microwave safe bowl

Knife

Cutting board

Fork

Directions:

1. Spray microwaveable bowl with non-stick spray.

2. Chop washed spinach into small pieces.

3. Measure egg whites*, cheese, salt, and pepper into microwaveable bowl with chopped spinach.

4. Whisk with fork.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

5. Microwave for 45 seconds, whisk, then microwave for 45 seconds.

6. Mix, drizzle cheese on top, and microwave for 20 seconds Add cheese as pleased, if eggs are still undercooked microwave for additional 35 seconds.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Bowl used:  Project 62 Stoneware Bowl ($4.99) from Target 

Lunch

Turkey Sandwich With Popcorn And Apples 

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Prep Time:  10 minutes

Ingredients: 

Whole wheat bread – 2 slices                                               Spinach – ¾ cup

Turkey – 4 slices

Apple – 1 whole

Mustard

Mayo

Popcorn/Chips/Cashews

What You Need: 

Knife

Cutting board

Apple slicer

Directions:       

1. Wash spinach and apple.

2. Place turkey slices and spinach on one slice of bread.

3. On top spread desired amount of condiment (I chose mustard and mayo) and place other slice of bread on top.

4. Cut sandwich in half.

5. Cut washed apple in half and rotate to cut 3 more times evenly.

6. Serve with chips, popcorn, cashews, or whatever you prefer.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Plate used: Room Essentials ($1.79) from Target

Dinner 

Loaded Baked Potato

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes                                             

Ingredients:

Russet potato – 1

Microwaveable bacon – 2 slices

Spinach** – ¼ cup

Shredded cheddar jack cheese – ¼ cup

Sour cream – ¼ cup

Butter – ¼ cup

Salt – ⅛ tsp

Pepper – ⅛ tsp

**May be substituted for chives or green onion. 

What You Need:

Microwaveable plate

Microwave

Knife

Utensils

Paper towel

Directions:

1. I followed instructions on how to bake a potato in the microwave (steps 1-8) then I continued to follow with my own recipe.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

2. While letting potato rest for 5 minutes, begin to prep bacon and spinach.

3, Microwave 2 slices of bacon on a paper towel and cover with another paper towel. Microwave for 20-24 seconds.

4. Chop washed spinach and bacon into small pieces.

5. After potato has rested for 5 minutes, slice potato into 3-4 even pieces.

6. Take a spoonful of butter and mix into each potato piece.

7. Spread sour cream on top of each.

8. Distribute spinach, bacon, and shredded cheese to each piece.

9. Microwave if desired to melt cheese.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Dessert 

Berry Brownie Cake 

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Ingredients:

Frozen berries**

Water*** – amount specified on package

Microwaveable brownie mix – 1

Powdered sugar

**May be substituted for regular berries.

***May be substituted for milk. 

What You Need: 

Microwave

Microwaveable bowl or mug

Utensils 

Directions: 

1. Pour brownie mix into bowl with water.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

2. Mix until smooth.

3. Microwave for 55-60 seconds.

4. Top with berries and sprinkled powdered sugar.

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

Bowl used: Room Essentials Plastic Bowl ($0.79) from Target

Calligraphy done by UIC Spoon’s (and my roomie) Caitlin Canto (@caitsnotes). 

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

aesthetically pleasing meals in your dorm
Jewel Tibar

There are plenty of ways to make any meal look beautiful to eat. A helpful #spoontip such as using small garnishes, plating in certain ways, and making meals that are very colorful go a long way. These little tips and inexpensive materials are completely doable for any college student budget and can make any meal feel like you just went out at a 5-star restaurant. 

Make sure to post your aesthetically meals you’ve made in your dorm & tag #SPOONUIC !