Sometimes, you just don’t want what’s being served in Saga, and Dugout doesn’t cut it either. Or maybe you’re hungry after the campus dining options are closed and you Door Dashed a little too frequently in the last couple of weeks.
No shame, but you still need to eat. There is a chance you won’t do well on projects, papers or exams without enough calories to power the soggy, electrified bacon that is your brain.
Welcome to The Dorm Chef. I’ll bring you a recipe with an attempt to be inclusive of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan diets that don’t require much effort in the way of materials needed or money for ingredients. Sometimes, there will be a slow cooker recipe if you want to pool with friends and cook in the luxurious dorm kitchens so you can divvy up leftovers for later.
Let’s kick this off with a double header in honor of the Lunar New Year. We’ll start with that meal that you occasionally remember to eat breakfast.
(Vegetarian) French Toast in a Mug
What you’ll need:
- 1 teaspoon of butter
- 3 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon of maple syrup
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 cup of bread, torn into pieces (If you feel fancy, use croissants or brioche, but whatever you have should work)
Do the thing:
- Melt the butter in the mug in the microwave
- Add the rest of your wet ingredients, stirring to incorporate
- Stir in cinnamon
- Add the bread pieces, stirring gently until it has absorbed the wet mixture
- Microwave for 60-80 seconds, until it’s solid looking
- Enjoy!
Microwave Peanut Brittle (for Longevity & Good Fortune)
*For the record, this is not a traditional recipe for Lunar New Year peanut brittle, but this is an alternative recipe that is easy to make in a microwave.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon butter
Do the thing:
- Either grease or parchment paper-line a tray/cookie sheet, etc, then set aside
- Combine your sugar & corn syrup in a microwave safe bowl
- Microwave for 4 minutes (pause at 2 minutes to stir)
- Mix in the peanuts & microwave for another 3 ½ minutes
- Stir in the butter and vanilla extract, microwave for an additional 1 ½ minute
- Stir in the baking soda until foamy and light
- Immediately pour mix onto the prepared tray and spread thin
- Let cool completely before breaking into pieces
- Store in an airtight container
- Enjoy, & Happy Lunar New Year.