Food has always been important to my family, as a form of affection, a form of sustenance, a form of celebration–you name it. It only made sense that mom’s love for cooking and experimenting would transfer over to me. I started small, preparing a mean bowl of Froot Loops, by which I mean adding cinnamon to the milk. I soon diversified my repertoire and perfected the art of strawberry banana oatmeal (I promise, it tastes like a smoothie). In fact, all throughout my senior year of high school, making my own breakfast became a favorite ritual.
From healthy caramelized apple-banana pancakes to a mixed smoothie and overnight oats concoction, my inventive morning meals helped me drag myself out of bed at 6:30 AM everyday. Therefore, you can understand that I was slightly concerned when I learned that my freshman dorm would not even have a communal kitchen.
When I got sick of the boiled eggs and oatmeal from the dining hall, I knew it was time to take matters in my own hands. After scrolling through a lot of foodstagrams, I figured out the recipes I was inspired to remake. With just a few cooking tools, a trusty microwave and fridge, and a lot of dedication, you too can make bougie breakfasts in your dorm room. You can bring most of these supplies from home, and the only new thing you’re going to have to buy is an egg poacher. At only about $5, this contraption is worth it, trust me–how else will you take your dorm room avocado toast to the bougie level it deserves?
Zoodle Bird Nest
Ingredients
Instructions
Transfer your zoodles into a large bowl and add two tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl entirely with a plate and microwave for about 3-4 minutes. After 2 minutes in the microwave, try a zoodle to test its softness and adjust the remaining cook time to your preference.
Take 2 eggs and put them in your egg poacher. Before you put the eggs in the microwave, add your spices directly into the poacher on top of the raw eggs.
Follow the cooking instructions that came with the poacher. It usually requires poking the yolks a couple times with a fork, adding 1 teaspoon of water to each egg, and microwaving for a minute. Check on the eggs after about 45 seconds to make sure they don’t overcook. If the white part looks solid and not runny, they should be done. (If you hear a popping noise after 30 seconds, don’t worry. Your microwave will not explode like I thought the first time I used the egg poacher.) Repeat with the second two eggs.
Slice your avocado in half and carefully peel off the back of one half. Place it with the pit side down and cut it lengthwise into thin slices.
Time to assemble! Carefully lay out your zoodles into a nest-like arrangement on each plate and place the two eggs on top of it. Divide your avocado among each plate and spread it out.
Elevated Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Instructions
The night before you want this breakfast, take any bowl or mason jar and add the oats, chia seeds, and milk. Mix together.
Put it in the fridge and happily go to sleep.
In the morning, transfer your oats to a bowl, put the yogurt on top, add your fruit in an aesthetically satisfactory manner, and plop some peanut butter on the side for more flavor.
#SpoonTip: You can make the entire meal in a mason jar and eat it on the go or during class.
Voila! You’ve taken your overnight oats to the next level. A cheap and healthy option without having to break the bank at your favorite local cafe.
Two Toasts, Two Ways
Ingredients
Instructions
If your dorm is like mine and you aren’t allowed to have toasters in your room, take your bread down to the dining hall to toast it and bring it back up to your room. Trust me, it’ll definitely be worth the trek for this dorm room breakfast.
Mash up your avocado with a fork and mix in your spices. Spread the mixture onto one slice. Use the egg poacher again as described with the zoodle bird nest to top your bougie avocado toast.
Take your favorite peanut butter–mine is the freshly ground one from Whole Foods–and spread a hearty layer onto your other toast. Slice up your bananas and spread them aesthetically onto the peanut butter. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top.
#SpoonTip: Grab a packet of honey while you’re down in the dining hall toasting your toast. Drizzle it onto your peanut butter banana toast for an extra layer of bougieness and goodness.
Now, you’ve got yourself two drool-worthy toasts without succumbing to the temptation of your local coffee shop!
#SpoonTip: You can also take this breakfast on the go to your local coffee shop, giving you more motivation to tackle your biology reading. True story.
There you go! Three bougie breakfasts that you can easily make in your dorm room–something to rely on when you get sick of plain oatmeal every day. Don’t let the absence of a kitchen scare you from living out your best life.