Sometimes, you just need a home-cooked meal.
Eating while living on campus can be a real pain, and many of us just need to have a home-cooked meal occasionally. Unfortunately, it can be really daunting to try to maintain everything you need for cooking on campus. Whether that is ingredients, equipment, facilities or time, many obstacles can just get you to give up and grab a footlong cookie for dinner. What does not help is how all the recipes online seem to assume you have an industrial blender, a freeze drier and a time machine with all the crazy methods they suggest. Well you can put the molecular gastronomy kit away because here are 10 practical tips for cooking on campus.
1) Good pan, good knife, good life
I get it, it is easy and much cheaper to buy only the cheapest Walmart cookware. And, largely, I think that is fine. Save every dime you can for things like pots, plates, bowls, cups and all the other small items you need. But if you want to be successful at cooking, you want to get two decent pieces of cookware: a frying pan and a chef’s knife. For pans, I recommend either a stainless steel or nonstick pan that does not have a rubber handle so it can go in the oven. When choosing pans, look for one that is heavy but not so heavy that you cannot hold it in one hand. A sturdy pan will last a long time and can be used in almost any meal you make. As for knives, you want at least one knife that is both sharp and heavy. Sharp knives prevent cuts and make for more usable ingredients. I recommend picking up a Japanese chef’s knife for around thirty to fifty bucks online.
2) Appliances: What do you need?
A stovetop oven and a fridge are musts. If you live in an apartment, these should come pre-installed while dorms should have both in the floor kitchen. Microwaves are helpful for leftovers and easy meals but I do not think they are necessary with the amount available around campus. Air fryers are popular for a reason but I am not a huge fan. Ovens, with enough oil, will do a similar job. I would only bring an air fryer if you already have one and you live in an apartment. Any other appliances are 100% optional.
3) Fear the dorm kitchen
Repeat after me: I will not leave anything in a dorm kitchen. Again, I will not leave anything in a dorm kitchen. Your stuff will be stolen or simply used and left dirty in the sink. Just get a large crate or tote bag to bring your cookware between your room and the dorm kitchen. You will thank me later.
4) The little forgettables
There is a lot of important cookware that is easy to forget but which can make your life a real pain if you do not have them. You can get all these items for dirt cheap at Walmart or even the Dollar Store so do not worry too much. Cleaning materials like rags and a dish scrubber are a must for clean up. Tupperware is incredible for storing ingredients, leftovers or even random stuff you leave around your room. If you do not have a cutting board and a can opener, you are asking for a very sad revelation. Finally, while not a must, I highly recommend going to local antique stores and looking for dishes with a white interior and colorful exterior that are labeled Pyrex. They are the best multi-purpose dishware because they are microwave-safe, hard to break and you can find them for $10 to $20 a dish, which I promise you is worth the price.
5) Oils: Dos and don’ts
If you are planning on using a stovetop oven in any capacity, you are going to need some neutral oils to prevent burning. I recommend a neutral spray oil like an avocado oil spray as well as having olive oil for when you want a more robust flavor. Avoid cheap, generic vegetable oils. I would only buy butter when you know you are going to use it since it is not shelf stable.
6) Maximizing your produce
Nothing feels worse than watching produce rot on the counter or in your fridge, but college life is busy and sometimes you really do not have a considerable amount of time to cook. If you want to avoid rotting produce, I would do two things. First, getting your fruits and veggies dried or frozen will give you ample time to put them to use. Second, avoid buying too much produce that you will only eat when cooking. Getting fresh fruit and veggies that you can snack on easily will ensure you are using them even when you do not have the time or energy to cook them.
7) Picking your proteins
Proteins can be similar to fruits and veggies but can be significantly harder to make snackable. Canned proteins like tuna and beans are both healthy and will last on your shelf for almost forever. Tofu lasts an absurd amount of time if left in water in the fridge. Finally, frozen proteins like fish filets and chicken breast are healthy and will last a while before freezer burn sets in as long as you have freezer space.
8) Never. Forget. The. Spice. Rack
Food is better when it has flavor, I would hope we all agree on that. Well, if you want that plate of chicken and rice to taste like something, you are going to want a well-stocked spice rack. The essential salt and pepper cannot be forgotten. Beyond that, I urge you to experiment and try interesting spices and spice combinations. For me, chili powder, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder are absolute must haves but I would encourage you to find what works for you.
9) The menagerie meal
You are going to end up with small amounts of random ingredients or veggies that are pushing the edge of rotten that you just need to use up. Do not be scared to throw everything you can find into a pan, cook it up with some generous seasoning and serve it over lettuce or rice. It is one of the best ways to learn flavors and start defining your own style in the kitchen.
10) The five minute meal
Another essential meal is something you know you can make with minimal effort and time. For me, that is a can of beans and a pack of microwave rice. The fact of the matter is that, every now and then, you need that meal you could basically make with your eyes closed. But, just because it is easy does not mean you should forget the flavor. A little bit of sauce and spices can jazz up even the dullest bowl of instant ramen.
And that is it! Cooking can be approachable, worthwhile and even fun with just a little bit of planning and equipment. So, get cooking, chef!
