Oh, food—the evergreen topic that’s a weakness for many and a loved by all. There are endless combinations of fruits, vegetables, meats and grains that create impeccable dishes for your taste buds to savor. Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of food is its chameleon-like ability to adapt to every individual’s needs. No matter what kind of foodie you may be, there are recipes out there that are sure to make your eyes widen, mouth salivate and stomach groan as you imagine the deliciousness.
For college students, access to those enchanting meals seems limited, but do not fret, young Sharks, kitchens are not totally necessary to create culinary masterpieces. All you need to be the next Master Shark Chef is a microwave and a hungry tummy. All recipes below were created by me during my time in the residence halls.
- For the vegetarian foodie: Veggie Lover Fajitas
- What you need:
- 2 cups of sliced bell peppers (your choice of color)
- 1/3 onion, sliced
- 1 jalapeno (optional)
- 3 tbsp. cilantro
- Salt, to taste
- Lemon pepper, to taste
- 2 tortillas
- ¼ cup of cheese
- ¼ cup guacamole
- What to do:
- What you need:
- In a microwave-safe dish, add sliced pepper, onions and jalapeno. Sprinkle with cilantro, salt and lemon pepper.
- Cover and cook in microwave for 10 minutes on high.
- Place guacamole and cheese on tortillas and add vegetable mixture.
- Roll up tortillas, and eat up!
- For the health-nut foodie: Steamin’ Salmon
- What you need:
- 1 square of parchment paper
- 1 lemon
- 1 piece of salmon
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- ½ bell pepper
- ¼ onion
- What to do:
- What you need:
- On parchment paper, place thin slices of lemon. Top slices with piece of salmon, followed by pepper and onion slices. Drizzle olive oil over combination.
- Fold the top and bottom portions of parchment paper over the fish and vegetables, followed by the sides. Tuck in loose ends and make sure all sides are folded tightly.
- Microwave for approximately three and a half minutes. When done, cut the parchment paper with scissors or knife and serve.
- For the exotic foodie: Perfect Pad Thai
- What you need:
- 1 cup of water, plus more for soaking noodles
- 1 package of rice or ramen noodles
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. peanut butter
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- Sriracha, to taste
- ¼ cup shredded carrots
- Green onions, to taste
- Bean sprouts, to taste
- What to do:
- What you need:
- Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with water and bring to a boil in microwave. Submerge noodles in boiling water and let soak for approximately 15 minutes.
- In small bowl, mix peanut butter, sugar, sriracha, soy sauce, carrots and 1 cup of water.
- Combine peanut butter mixture and noodles and cook for another five to10 minutes.
- Top with green onions and bean sprouts.
- For the homesick foodie: Muggin’ Mac and Cheese
- What you need:
- 1/3 cup elbow macaroni
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped Monterey jack cheese
- What to do:
- What you need:
- Mix the pasta and water in a mug, and microwave it on high for two minutes, then stir.
- Repeat two-to-four times, stopping after every two-minute interval to stir. The water should absorb completely. If the water is not completely cooked through after four intervals, add a little more water and microwave for another minute.
- Remove mug of noodles and stir in milk and cheddar cheese.
- Microwave for another minute. Once done, add Monterey jack cheese and enjoy!
- For the late-night sweet tooth foodie: Triple Chocolate Nut Mug
- What you need:
- 4 Tbsp. self-rising flour
- 4 tbsp. white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp. Nutella
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup almonds or walnuts
- 3 tbsp. almond or cashew milk
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- What to do:
- What you need:
- Combine all the ingredients, excluding 1 tbsp. of Nutella, in a large coffee mug and mix with a fork until its smooth.
- Microwave on high for one and a half to three minutes, or until cooked thoroughly. If you place a tooth pick through the middle, it should be clean when pulled out.
- Top with remaining Nutella, and satisfy your sweet tooth!
- For the carnivorous foodie: Jammin’ Jambalaya
- What you need:
- 1 cup of rice
- 1-2 sausage patties or links
- 1 piece of chicken breast
- ½ cup shrimp, tailed and deveined
- Cajun or creole seasoning
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups of water
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. butter
- What to do:
- What you need:
- In microwave-safe bowl, combine rice with 2 cups of water and salt. Microwave, uncovered, until all liquid is absorbed—about 15 to 18 minutes.
- Place sausage on microwave-safe plate, and cover with paper towel. Microwave on high for 35 to 40 seconds.
- Place chicken breast in bowl. Fill bowl with enough water to cover chicken breast halfway. Cover bowl with plastic cling wrap and microwave on high for three to four minutes. Make sure chicken is not pink in the middle.
- In another microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and then add shrimp. Cook shrimp on high power for six minutes.
- Combine meats and rice with seasonings and tomatoes. Microwave for additional one to two minutes to rewarm meal.
