Dining hall food can be annoying, especially when you don’t feel like leaving your room and the series you’re watching only to get in line for the same dishes. But there are tips and tricks to help you make your own food in your dorm room.
Most of them only require either a microwave or fridge, but a rice cooker and crockpot is helpful to cook actual meals in a dorm room. Make sure to refrigerate your groceries and clean your utensils after use.
Porridge or oats are your go-to good for an easy-to-prepare snack in breakfast or whenever you crave something sweet. Z’oats can be a great healthy option. For two servings, grate one zucchini, add 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of almond milk and a teaspoon of cinnamon for the flavor. If you don’t like cinnamon, you can add a tablespoon of baking cocoa instead. Stir everything together and microwave for about two minutes, then add a smashed banana for sweetness and top with your favorite fruits. The zucchini minimizes the calories and maximizes the portion and you won’t taste it at all. Oatmeals can be prepared a couple of days in advance. You can also simply stir oats and milk together, put it in the fridge and heat in the microwave right before eating.
If you don’t feel like getting out of bed — or your room — you can make your own scrambled eggs in a bacon bowl [19] using a microwave.
Sandwiches and salads are also easy to make in a dorm room, and they will last you for a couple of days. Try this healthy avocado and chicken salad [20] on its own or on bread. You can grab some chicken from the dining hall or get precooked rotisserie chicken from the store.
If you don’t eat meat, try it with lentils or chickpeas instead of the chicken. And yes, you can microwave lentils! Soak them in water for at least two hours before putting them in a bowl, where they’re completely covered with water and put a lid on. Microwave them on high for ten minutes, stir and check if they’re done; if not, keep microwaving and checking every other minute.
You can make a variety of recipes in a mug, which can be another great way to make meals quickly and easily. Be sure to check out these macaroni and cheese [21] and mug pizza [22] recipes — they can definitely help you get through finals season.
