Microwave Dorm-Friendly Receipes

Written and Images by Sarah Campbell

@eatingalotofbanana

Whether you need a break from Dockside, you want to practice your cooking skills for the next Master Chef episode, or you want to surprise your sweetheart with an sweet morning breakfast, it is important to tighten up your dorm-cooking skills and make the most out of what you can without spending the big bucks. 

Here are 6 quick and cheap “classy meal” ideas, which all have fancy long restaurant-like names.

You’ll only need:

1.     A fridge

2.     A microwave

3.     Dishes and cutlery for eating

Some general rules:

- Don’t put plastic or metal in the microwave.

- Every microwave is different, so the time varies as well. Start low with the time and test out the timing required. 

 ‘Finely Diced Apple and Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal Drizzled with Maple Syrup and Sprinkled with Nuts’ (aka Leftover fruit from Dockside oatmeal)

You know how you cheat the one-fruit policy from Dockside by giving a banana to each of your friends to carry out for you and then you realize you can’t eat all that fruit before your tiny mice roommates get to it? Well, this is your chance to chop up some of those fruits and make a tasty breakfast for your 10 am classes. Or 8:30 for those who can eat faster… 

Put ½ cup of quick-cooking oatmeal with 1 cup of water, or milk, in a bowl. Dice up the apples and slice the banana. If you like your fruit soft and warm, place them in the uncooked oatmeal and microwave it together; if not, microwave the oatmeal first for 1 ½ minute to 2 minutes, then top it off with fruit, nuts, cinnamon and maple syrup to your liking.

‘Peak-A-Boo Sunshine-In-A-Hole Breakfast’ (aka Egg cracked in a holey bread)

Your honey is staying over for the night and you want to surprise them with something sweet to wake to. Well, your face may be enough, but hey, food speaks straight to a person. 

Cut a hole in the center of a piece of bread with the lip of a mug, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter if you want to be fancier. Butter the surface of the plate where the egg is going to be placed, then crack the egg in the hole and sprinkle some salt and pepper. Remember to poke some holes on the egg yolk or it may explode unpleasantly. Microwave it for 45 seconds, then with 15 seconds intervals to your liking.

‘Grand-Fine-Cut-Veggie-Mix-With-A-Tease-of-Ham Omelet in a Mug' (aka egg and other edible items in a mug)

What a warm way it is to wake up with a steaming mug of omelet in the winter. This easy breakfast only takes 2 minutes from fridge to mouth. 

Butter all sides of a mug, then whisk together the mixed veggies, egg, sandwich ham cut in small chunks, cheese, salt and pepper. Microwave it for 40 seconds, then in 10 seconds intervals until cooked.

‘Asian Beef Noodles Soup with Just The Right Amount of Hinted Beef to Make it Beef Noodled Approved’ (aka Beef flavoured Instant Noodle Soup) 

This classic college recipe can be “healthied up” with mixed veggies and less of the flavouring package. Microwave the noodles in water with mixed vegetables for 2-3 minutes, stir the noodles halfway through to loosen the noodles up.

‘English Garden Veggie Apple and Cheese Sandwich Drizzled with Italian Olive Oil’ (aka vegetable sandwich)

Still got an apple left to eat from Dockside? Enjoy this easy vegetable-based sandwich that is guilty-free and takes less than 5 minutes to make. 

Chop up any vegetables, such as cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, red opinions, lettuce, bell peppers, or avocado, then thinly slice some apples and cheese. Lastly, drizzle some olive oil elevate the taste.

‘Party-Cut Tipsy-Sauced Cheese-Pull Dough Pizza’ (aka doubled cheese bread covered with pizza toppings)

Are your flex dollars running low, yet still need pizzas to feed your friends? No need to worry. Here’s a cheap and fun way to bond with your friends while giving a break with downing that bottle of vodka. 

Cover a piece of pita bread or a tortilla with cheese, then cover it with another piece. Spread canned tomato paste on it then get creative and spice up your pizza. Some topping ideas are pepperoni, sandwich ham, bacon, pineapple, spinach, cheese, tomato, mushrooms, olives, and peppers. Use this guide for the best pizza toppings. Microwave the pizza for 30 seconds till the cheese is melted and pizza is hot.