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
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.
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.
Bowl used: Project 62 Stoneware Bowl ($4.99) from Target
Lunch
Turkey Sandwich With Popcorn And Apples
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.
Plate used: Room Essentials ($1.79) from Target
Dinner
Loaded Baked Potato
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.
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.
Dessert
Berry Brownie Cake
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.
2. Mix until smooth.
3. Microwave for 55-60 seconds.
4. Top with berries and sprinkled powdered sugar.
Bowl used: Room Essentials Plastic Bowl ($0.79) from Target
Calligraphy done by UIC Spoon’s (and my roomie) Caitlin Canto (@caitsnotes).
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 !