Simple, yet tasty
To many college students living in their first apartment, not having a meal plan means living off of macaroni and cheese.
Having a home-cooked meal like something Mom would have made seems like too much effort, and most of the recipes in cookbooks mean another trip to the grocery store because no one actually has all those ingredients in their kitchen.
It does not have to be that way, though. With a little creativity and a few basic ingredients, anyone with access to a stovetop or an oven can make a tasty meal.
Even basic Ramen noodles can become a whole new meal when you add a can of vegetables.
The website http://mattfischer.com/ramen contains over 300 Ramen recipes submitted by several different people.
Even with the wide variety of Ramen recipes available, most people will probably eventually want a meal that does not include Ramen.
The main ingredients for making a home-style meal are frozen pre-cut meat and vegetables (they can be stored almost indefinitely) and a few of your favorite salad dressings or marinades.
It’s also good to buy a few basic seasonings, such as garlic, parsley, dried onions, or taco seasoning.
They aren’t a must-have, but if you feel confident enough experimenting with them, they can add extra flavor to the meal.
For a quick meal, simply stir-fry a pan full of the veggies and meat of your choice, cook on high heat until the meat is cooked all the way through and the vegetables are tender.
Then, sprinkle on soy sauce or a bit of your favorite salad dressing. The entire process takes about 15 - 20 minutes, and it gives you a nutritious, variety-filled meal.
For a meal that takes a little longer, but is still relatively easy to make, try an oven dish.
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place a chicken breast in an oven pan and choose a sauce to pour over the chicken.
There should be enough sauce to cover the bottom of the pan about half an inch to an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for an hour.
While sites like fouringredientcookbook.com, mattfischer.com/ramen and other cooking sites may be helpful; the most important element is creativity.
Experiment with different marinades and different combinations of food. The results may not always taste wonderful, but it is a great way to learn.
The more students experiment, the more often meals will turn out well. Just remember to write down what was used in the recipes so you know how to make it on a different occasion.