As a self-proclaimed foodie, moving into Carleton’s residence in my first year was a rather daunting ordeal.
I didn’t want to eat cafeteria food more than once a day, yet I was faced with the new reality of only having a microwave and refrigerator to cook. It turned out that feeding myself — and my foodie urges — while in residence really wasn’t that difficult. But to get you started, I hope that I can at least provide a few recipes, tips, tricks, and inspirational stories.
During frosh week, you won’t want to spend too much time grocery shopping, so I’ll start you off with a quick and dead easy recipe that you can make with ingredients your parents might have left with you after drop-off. If you consider yourself to be more experienced and adventurous in the kitchen, consider the tips at the end!
Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce:
Ingredients:
1 cup of evenly chopped carrots, broccoli, peppers, or any vegetables you have on hand
Dried noodles/pasta
3 tablespoons of peanut butter
2 tablespoons each of soy sauce and orange juice
A pinch of sugar
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
– Combine peanut-butter, soy sauce, orange juice, sugar and salt in a mug and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir.
– Microwave vegetables in a bowl with an inch of water for two to three minutes until soft. Strain.
– In a bowl, cover noodles with lots of water, add a pinch of salt, and microwave for about two minutes longer than you would usually on the stove. Strain.
– Add the sauce and vegetables to the noodles, stir until combined, add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy.
Tips:
– For a spicier, tangier peanut sauce, add hot sauce, chili powder, or garlic power.
– To add some bulk, add prepared chicken, tofu, or edamame beans.
– For freshness and texture, add some chopped spring onion and peanuts to the dish after it’s finished cooking.
