For college students learning to take advantage of their newfound independence, figuring out how to make easy and affordable meals and desserts on a budget is a skill. Whether you utilize your dorm stove or a microwave, easy and delicious meals can be made.
Pinwheels
-Philadelphia Chive & Onion cream cheese dip
-flour tortillas
-shredded cheese
-sliced turkey, ham or chicken
Spread cream cheese on a tortilla, then lightly sprinkle cheese before adding your meat of choice and a few slices of lettuce. Tightly roll the tortilla, then firmly hold in place and slice into small sections.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Sandwich
-bag of pretzels
-peanut butter
-microwavable chocolate dip (used to dip fruit)
Melt the chocolate as directed and stir at 30 second intervals to prevent it from scorching. Once it has a smooth consistency, take 2 pretzels, spread peanut butter evenly (as thin or thick as you like) and sandwich the pretzels together. Then dip in chocolate and place on a plate to harden. You can also pop them in the fridge or freezer to keep them cool and the chocolate shell hard.
Fried Green Tomatoes
If you happen to find green tomatoes at a farmers market or in a garden before fall officially begins, then you’re still in luck to try a summertime favorite. A great way to have this all year round: clean the tomatoes, slice and place them in a Ziploc bag and keep them in the freezer. That way if you’re in the mood from one, especially in the fall and winter, they’ll be nice and fresh.
-green tomatoes
-vegetable oil
-bread crumbs
-cornmeal
-salt and pepper, other seasonings (optional)
-eggs and milk
Prep: First, wash the tomatoes and slice them (but not too thin) and season with salt and pepper. In a bowl, add 2 eggs and ¼ cup of milk and beat until smooth. Scoop a cup of breadcrumbs and cornmeal and mix them together with a fork to distribute them evenly for better coverage of the tomato slices. Add vegetable oil in a skillet and cook on medium heat. To test the oil, sprinkle some crumbs.
Cook: One at a time, take each tomato slice, dip in the beaten egg wash and lay it in the bread crumbs/cornmeal mix and coat both sides before then place in the skillet. Look for browning around the edges and cook on each side for no longer than 3 minutes before removing. Fried green tomatoes go great with soul food or southern food like greens and cornbread or beans and rice.
Cinnamon Bread French Toast
-loaf of cinnamon bread (Aunt Millie’s, Pepperidge Farm, etc.)
-eggs
-milk
-vanilla extract
-butter
-fruit and powdered sugar (optional)
In a bowl, beat 2 eggs and add ¼ cup of milk together. Add a few drops of vanilla. In a skillet, coat with a couple slices of butter; take the slice(s) of cinnamon bread and coat on each side and place in skillet. Cook until it’s a toasty brown on both sides or cook as long as you desire. Once the toast meets the plate, go crazy. You can sprinkle powdered sugar and fresh fruit topping of our choice.
For cool twist on simple recipes, go to Pinterest.com under the search “Easy Recipes for College Students.”