Fast and Easy Eating...College Style

When I was in college (Go BYU!), I shared an apartment with five other roommates. We had a small kitchen. I had one shelf to store my food in the pantry. I had half a shelf in the fridge. Finally, I had about 1/4 shelf in the freezer.

I mostly ate a lot of toast, cereal, and oatmeal--because it was fast, easy, and took up very little space! However, as time went on, I got a little more creative because you can only eat cereal for so long!

Here are some of the quick "recipes" and cooking tips I came up with. Do you know what I found? These tips work just as well when you need quick and easy food ideas for a hungry, busy (full-time working and night school attending) husband and an impatient toddler!

Now, in no way should this become the norm...because it's so much fun to cook (and eat the finished products)! But sometimes, these shortcuts are absolutely necessary! I hope some of these come in handy for you like they have for me!

Above: I made two versions of the egg sandwich (similar to a "McMuffin").

For the bagel/egg sandwich, here's what I did: I cracked two eggs into a paper bowl (any microwave-safe bowl will do) and beat them with a fork. I added salt and pepper to taste and about 2 tbsp shredded cheese (I had a shredded Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese blend in my fridge). I microwaved the eggs/cheese for 30 seconds. I then stirred them up again and microwaved them for an additional 30 seconds. That's all the eggs needed to cook. Sometimes, two eggs will need an additional 15-30 seconds--especially when they have cheese in them. While I was microwaving the eggs, I toasted the bagel (A whole wheat bagel with 5 grams of fiber). I then placed the eggs and a slice of Canadian bacon on top of the bottom half of the bagel and finished it off with the top half of the bagel. If you use a spoon or a fork to loosen the eggs from the bottom of the bowl, they will retain their "patty" shape. You can then easily remove the eggs from the bowl and transfer them to the bagel.

For the English muffin/egg sandwich, here's what I did: I basically did the exact same thing as described above, except I only used 1 egg and 1 tbsp of cheese (microwaved for 30 seconds, stirred, and microwaved for another 15 seconds). I used a double fiber English muffin that had 8 grams of fiber!

Breakfast or Breakfast for Dinner:

• Omelette: Eggs, (or use egg substitute), shredded cheese, bacon, ham, sausage, veggies, salsa, hot sauce, and/or anything else you want to add. (Microwave about 4 slices of bacon for 2 minutes in the microwave between two paper towels). Or, you can bake the bacon in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes (or until you've reached your desired degree of crispiness!).
  
• Scrambled eggs: You can make them plain with salt and pepper or you can make them omelette style and add cheese, herbs, and veggies.
• Microwave scrambled eggs: Beat 1 egg and season it with salt and pepper. In a microwave safe bowl, cook for 30 seconds. Stir egg again. Depending on how done your egg is, microwave it again for another 15-30 seconds. That should be all you need! You can also do 2 eggs (microwave for 30 seconds, stir, microwave for another 30 seconds and that should be enough). You can do more eggs, just microwave them 30 seconds at a time and check them to make sure they reach your desired degree of doneness. I'm not kidding, you really CAN make microwave scrambled eggs--and they're great! I learned this awesome tip from the Martha Stewart website.
  
• Egg Sandwiches ("McMuffin-style"): Mix some eggs together and cook like an omelette (or use egg substitute). Fold over or slice in half, if necessary, so that it fits onto an English muffin, bagel, pieces of toast, or biscuit. You can even microwave the egg, if you like (as described above)! Toast English muffin or bagel or make refrigerated biscuits. Add cheese and sausage, Canadian bacon, or bacon.
• Hole-in-one-toast: Heat a skillet on the stove. Melt a small amount of butter in the skillet (or spray with non-stick cooking spray). Take a piece of bread and using a round cookie cutter or a knife, cut out a round hole in the middle. Place the bread in the skillet (also add the round cut out to the side). Crack an egg and pour the egg into the hole in the toast. Cook until the egg is set, then flip over to toast the other side.
• Frozen Pancakes or Waffles. Or, if you use a mix, you can quickly whip up a fresh batch too.
  
• Pancake or Waffle Sandwich: Prepare 2 Eggo waffles or frozen pancakes according to package directions. Sandwich fillings can include: bacon, Canadian bacon, ham, eggs, sausage, etc.
• Toast with butter and jam or cinnamon sugar.
• Oatmeal.
• Cereal! Don’t underestimate a bowl of cereal. Sometimes that’s all it takes to hit the spot—even for dinner!
• Malt-o-meal or Cream of Wheat: This stuff is filling, a box makes a ton of servings, and it lasts forever. Top with a little milk, butter and sugar.
• French toast: French toast is really easy to whip up quickly. Beat an egg, add a little milk, add some cinnamon, if you like, stir and then dip your bread into the mixture. Brown in a pan sprayed with cooking spray on the stovetop. Top with powdered sugar or maple syrup.
• Breakfast burritos: Scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon wrapped in a tortilla. Dip in salsa or put ketchup or hot sauce on top. Not only for breakfast!
• Biscuits and gravy: Make a batch of refrigerated biscuits, buy a packet of white gravy and top the biscuits with the gravy. If you want to make it heartier, you can brown some sausage and add that to the gravy.

Above: Garlic Pita Pizza



Above: Pita Pizza

Lunch or Dinner:

• Taco salads: Chili (or prepared meat of your choice), tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, ranch dressing, salsa, etc. (other toppings you might want to add or keep on hand are sliced black olives, cilantro, refried beans, and black or pinto beans).
• Burritos: Fill with chicken or ground beef or simply chili or refried beans. You can add rice and salsa too, if you like. Add cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and other favorite fillings/toppings.
• Tacos: Taco shells, ground beef with taco seasoning, hot sauce, cheese, etc.
• Navajo Tacos: Thaw Rhodes Dough (one roll for every Navajo taco you want to make). Once the dough is thawed, stretch it out. Heat some oil in a pan on your stovetop. Once the oil is heated (medium to medium-high heat), put the stretched roll into the oil. Cook until the first side is browned. Flip over and brown the other side. Remove from oil and top with chili, refried beans, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, cilantro, salsa, ranch dressing, sour cream, etc.
• English muffin pizzas: English muffins, pizza sauce or pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, any other toppings of your choice. Bake in a toaster oven until cheese is melted and muffin/pita is toasted. Or, toast in a 350 degree oven until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
• Pita bread traditional or garlic pizzas: Bottled pizza sauce, favorite traditional pizza toppings, and cheese. Or, Chef Tom's garlic spread (or garlic/butter mixture of your own), mozzarella and/or Parmesan cheese. Follow toaster oven/oven instructions for English muffin pizzas.
• Pizza: Use Pillsbury frozen/refrigerated pizza dough and add whatever toppings you would like. Or, thaw 12 Rhodes Dough rolls (20 if you want a pizza the size of a jelly roll pan). Once the dough is thawed, stretch it out on a floured pan and cover with desired toppings. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is nicely browned. Or, you can use a prepared pizza crust, such as Boboli.
• Calzones: Make them with Rhodes dough (or refrigerated pizza dough). Thaw 2-3 rolls in the morning and let them rise. When you get home, flatten/roll it out into a circle. Fill with your favorites: marinara sauce, pepperoni, ground beef, veggies, mozzarella, etc. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-20 minutes or until nicely browned on top.
• Chicken Caesar Salad pita pockets: You can buy pre-cooked cut chicken in the deli aisle by the cheese and deli meats. Buy a Caesar Salad kit and only mix as much as you need for your sandwich. Mix the salad and chicken together and put in a pita.
• "Thanksgiving Dinner": Cook a packet of Stovetop stuffing. Cook some chicken in a skillet on the stove. Heat a can of cream of mushroom (or cream of chicken) soup. Add the cream soup to the chicken and top with stuffing.
• Soup in bread bowls: Buy a bag of powdered soup, such as Bear River. Just add water (as well as anything else you would like to throw in). You can cook it according to the package directions or you can put it in a slow cooker on low and it will be done once it is thickened and bubbling (you can also leave it in there all day on low and it will be ready when you come home) . Serve in a soup bowl or with rolls.
• Baked potatoes: Top with sour cream, cheese, butter, and salt and pepper. Or, top with chili and cheese. Or, top with broccoli and cheese. Pierce a potato with a fork and wrap in tin foil (you don’t have to wrap it, but I like to). Bake in a 400 degree oven for 1-1 ½ hours or until tender when pierced with a fork. Top with chili and cheese.
• Pasta: Top with canned Alfredo sauce, meat sauce, marinara sauce, etc. Or, you can simply do a little butter or olive oil, garlic salt, parmesan or mozzarella cheese, and even Italian style bread crumbs.
• Pasta salad: Betty Crocker Suddenly Salads are especially easy. When you follow the package directions, all you add is either mayonnaise or oil and water. Or you can embellish these pasta salads by adding extra ingredients of your choice (such as tomatoes, olives, bacon, etc.) to make it into a hearty meal. The packages often include additional topping serving suggestions.
• Seafood pasta salad: Buy imitation crab meat and grape tomatoes. Add in any other veggies that you would like (such as peas). Season with salt, pepper, fresh basil, ranch dressing or oil and balsamic vinegar, or any favorite salad dressings that would compliment it, etc. You can also add parmesan or mozzarella cheese.
• Stir Fry: Buy a bag of frozen stir fry mix. Cook some chicken. Add stir fry sauce (can be bought bottled) and add the vegetables. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
• Chicken: When you want chicken for dinner, simply take a chicken breast out the night before, put it in a plastic bag, cover it with marinade, (marinade choices like teriyaki, BBQ, buffalo sauce, lemon juice and lemon salt seasoning, etc.) and put it in the fridge. The next day, it will be thawed and ready to be cooked. You can grill it on a George Foreman grill or broil it in the oven for about 10 minutes (5 minutes per side).
• Fish: Buy frozen uncooked fish fillets and follow the same instructions that you would for the chicken above.
• Grilled chicken sandwiches: Grill your marinated chicken (BBQ, buffalo sauce, teriyaki, etc.). Make a sandwich out of it by putting it on a bun and add cheese, bacon, lettuce, etc. Serve with a side of chips or carrot and celery sticks.
• Hamburgers: Buy frozen hamburger patties when they are on sale. You know how you like 'em so make 'em that way!
• Sloppy Joes: Brown some ground beef and mix it with a can of Manwich. Not as good as my Mom's homemade Sloppy Joes for sure, but cheaper, faster and easier.
• Meatball sandwiches: Buy Italian frozen meatballs. Cook them in a little marinara sauce, put them on a hoagie roll and top with mozzarella or provolone cheese. You can heat the meatballs and marinara in a slow cooker and then they’ll be heated when you get home. Simply top your hoagie roll with meatballs, add cheese, and enjoy!
• Sandwiches: You can make it even more filling by pairing it with your favorite soup.
• A deli lunch meat sandwich with cheese and veggies.
• Use leftover meat (sliced or shredded chicken, pork, ham, or beef), add cheese, a fun mustard (such as Spicy Brown, Honey Dijon, Honey Mustard, Dijon, etc.), and veggies, if you like. Serve toasted.
• PB&J sandwich.
• Veggie sandwich (favorite veggies on whole wheat bread with a little Ranch dressing…yum! My ideal veggie sandwich includes the following: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, sprouts, mushrooms, banana peppers/pepperoncini peppers, black olives, etc. You can even add cheese. You can swap the Ranch dressing for some oil and vinegar too. Don’t forget to salt and pepper it to taste!).
• BLT. Toasted white bread, a little mayonnaise or mustard, if you like, topped with crisp lettuce, tomato slices, and bacon.
  
• Chicken salad, sandwiches (using leftover or canned chicken). Add a little mayo or plain yogurt with salt and pepper for a simple version. Dress it up by adding Dijon mustard, celery, onion, nuts, spices, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, olives (or even fruit--which can be either dried or fresh. Fruit works better with chicken sandwiches than with tuna fish. But add craisins or red grapes to the chicken salad for a sweeter version). Make it even more fun by using different kinds of bread (wheat, rye, etc.).
• Tuna salad (or tuna melt), Add mayo or plain yogurt and salt and pepper. Add celery and onion, if desired. Other additions could include spices, nuts, herbs, pickles, etc.
• Egg salad.
• Tomato sandwiches, etc.
• Ham and Swiss.
• Grilled cheese sandwich served with tomato soup.
• Italian grilled cheese sandwich (instead of cheddar, use mozzarella cheese and a little marinara sauce. Grill as usual).
• Wraps. Same as sandwiches—just with tortillas.
• Quesadillas. Besides cheese, fillings can include chicken, pork, beef, black beans, rice, corn, diced chilies, etc.

Quick Side Dishes:

• Instant mashed potatoes: (Idahoan brand especially. All you add is boiling water and it is the perfect side dish.)
• Couscous.
  
• Packaged seasoned rice (such as Rice-a-Roni) makes a quick and easy side dish too.
• Canned or frozen veggies are a great and easy side.
• Refrigerated biscuits or rolls.
• Cornbread mix (made in a pan or muffin-style).
• Muffin mix (especially if you're doing a breakfast-for-dinner theme).
  
• Pudding.
• Pre-packaged salad kits.
• Pasta salad (such as Betty Crocker's Suddenly Salad).
• Fruit (fresh, canned, fruit cups, applesauce, etc.)
  

Pre-packaged Options:

• Hot dogs, Polish dogs, or Brats. Simple, quick and easy.
• Corndogs. Even easier.
• Frozen burritos.
• Frozen tamales.
• Frozen fish sticks. These are much improved when you pair it with your own tartar sauce (mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, onion powder, garlic powder to taste).
• Frozen pre-cooked breaded chicken breasts or tenders.
• Hot Pockets/Lean Pockets.
• Frozen individual pizzas (stock up when they are on sale.)
• Frozen dinners (Healthy Choice and Lean Cuisine are great options when you want something fast and healthy, but don’t want to cook).
• Macaroni and cheese.
• Canned soup.
• Dried soups. Cup-o-noodle, Ramen, Bear River soups, etc. These are actually really easy to dress up too by adding meat and veggies.

And don’t forget dessert!

• Microwave mini/individual cakes: Stir together ½ cup cake mix and 1/3 cup water or milk. Microwave for 90 seconds. Top with canned frosting, whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel topping, etc. You can even put fun additions inside your cake mix prior to microwaving it (such as a bite-sized candy bar, crushed cookies, pureed fruit, chocolate syrup--to make a lava cake, etc.). Get creative with your toppings and fillings. You’ll be surprised at how good this is!

• Homemade ice cream sandwiches: Use chocolate wafer cookies or chocolate graham crackers. Spread one half with Cool Whip topping (you can use regular or one of their flavored varieties…or you can flavor the Cool Whip yourself) or with pudding (use chocolate or vanilla pudding—or any favorite pudding flavor). Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze until firm—about 3 hours. Then you have a much lighter ice cream sandwich available whenever you’re in the mood!

• S'mores! Did you know you can make them in the microwave? That's right. You don't have to have a campfire to enjoy s'mores. Lay two sections of graham crackers out on a paper plate. Place chocolate and marshmallow on one half. Microwave for 15 seconds. The marshmallow will puff up (and deflate again once the microwave stops). This amount of time in the microwave will also make the chocolate nice and warm and soft. Take it out of the microwave and place the other graham cracker half on top and enjoy! Yum!
  
• Ice cream cone or sundae.
• Rootbeer float.
• Cookies and milk.
• 1 or 2 pieces of chocolate.