date night dinner

impress your sweetie

so mac and cheese is your specialty?
no time to slave over the stove all day?
don't wanna break the bank?
no problem.

believe it or not, YOU can make a gourmet dinner in under an hour with minimal kitchen know-how.

plus, the main dish is only gonna set you back $2.46 per serving.

the menu

1st base:

parmasan bruschetta

you need this stuff:

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 green onion, sliced 

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil/balsamic vinaigrette dressing

1 baguette, cut into slices

 

heat broiler
combine tomatoes, cheese, onion, garlic and 1/4 cup dressing.. set aside
brush both sides of bread slices with remaining dressing
broil until lightly toasted on both sides
top with tomato mixture

2nd base:

spicy shrimp linguine

you need this stuff:

8 oz uncooked linguine

2 tbsp butter

1/2 cup onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 plum tomatoes, chopped

1lb medium shrimp, peeled and cleaned

1 1/2  tsp cajun seasoning

1/2 tsp ground red pepper

1/2 cup half-and-half

1/3 cup parsley, chopped

salt

cook pasta according to package

drain & place pasta in a large bowl & keep warm

melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat

add onion & sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally

add garlic and tomatoes; sauté 2 minutes, stirring constantly

sprinkle shrimp with cajun seasoning, red pepper, and salt

add shrimp mixture to skillet

sauté 3 minutes or until shrimp are almost done

remove from heat

stir in half-and-half

pour shrimp mixture over pasta & toss

sprinkle with parsley

3rd base:

chocolate lava cakes

you need this stuff:

1.5 oz semi-sweet chocolate

5 tsp butter

1 egg

3 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

4 tsp flour

1 tsp icing sugar

 

preheat oven to 400°F
microwave chocolate and butter in microwaveable bowl until melted & then set aside
beat eggs, granulated sugar and coffee in another bowl until thickened
add flour and the chocolate mixture
beat just until blended
pour into 2 small, generously greased, lightly floured bowls
place bowls on baking sheet.
bakes 11-15 min or until cakes are puffed with crusted tops but still soft in the centres
cool 5 min
flip cakes onto individual dessert plates
sprinkle with icing sugar & serve warm.

lazy lasagna

dinner on a dime

mmm pasta, cheese, sauce, pasta again, more cheese, and sauce, then more cheese... etc 

what's not to love?

click here to procrastinate from your studies to play a game almost as addictive as lasagna itself:

http://www.garfield.com/fungames/lasagnafromheaven.html

since lasagna can take up to 2 hours to prepare, you probably haven't had a taste since your last visit home. luckily, there is a super fast & affordable solution. this lasagna may not come layer-by-layer, but how long does it stay in a tower on your plate anyway?

messy lasagna toss

PREP 5 mins
TOTAL 40 mins
FEEDS 4 starving students

you need this stuff:

3/4 lb extra lean ground beef or turkey breast

2 green peppers, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jar (700 mL) tomato pasta sauce

1-2/3 cups water

1/4 cup italian salad dressing

12 lasagna noodles, broken into quarters

1 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup ricotta cheese if you have it 

 

brown meat in large skillet

drain

add peppers, garlic, pasta sauce, water and dressing & bring to boil

stir in noodles

cover

cook on medium-low heat 10 to 15 min or until noodles are tender

stir occasionally

remove from heat & add ricotta

sprinkle with cheese

cover & let stand 5 min or until cheese is melted

cold combatting chicken soup

a warm hug on a cold day

chicken soup cures colds. isn't that what they say? maybe you heard it from your parents or grandparents or a campbell's soup commercial.. but does a hot bowl of chicken soup truly have magical healing powers? luckily, scientists from the university of nebraska medical center embarked on a search for the truth.

turns out... several ingredients in chicken soup affect the body's immune system. it has anti-inflammatory properties that could explain why it soothes sore throats. it also helps stop the movement of neutrophils, which is a fancy work for white blood cells that eat up bacteria released with many viruses. these neutrophils usually bring on lots of mucous, which may be the cause of those awful coughs and stuffy noses.

science aside...

chicken soup also mends broken hearts and erases bad days.

magical chicken soup

(this homemade classic is so fast, easy, and affordable, you may never open a can of chicken soup again)

PREP 10 mins
TOTAL 30 mins
FEEDS 6 sniffling students

you need this stuff:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast,

        cooked & cut into bite size pieces

1 cup frozen peas

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 carrots, sliced

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

4 cans (14.5 oz each) reduced sodium chicken broth

1 tsp. parsley flakes

1 tsp. thyme

a little salt and pepper
1 cup rotini pasta noodles, uncooked

heat all ingredients except pasta in a large pot, covered & boiling

stir in pasta

heat to boiling, stirring occassionally

reduce heat

uncover & simmer until pasta and veggies are tender

get creative...
try adding other veggies like mushrooms or green onions?
or try using angel hair or egg noodles?

how about adding 1 chile pepper or red pepper flakes for extra bite?

meatloaf in a mug

ma, the meatloaf

mmm meatloaf, a classic. most meatloaves need to be baked in the oven for hours. thanks to the magical wonders of the microwave, you can make delicious meatloaf in your dorm in less than half an hour. and it will taste just like how your mama used to make it.



PREP 10 mins

TOTAL 25 mins

FEEDS 4 starving students

you need this stuff:

1 lb extra-lean ground beef

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1 large egg

1 can (5.5 oz) vegetable juice  try using V8

1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

1/4 cup finely chopped carrot

salt and pepper

ketchup

mix first 8 ingrendients together in a large bowl
divide mixture into 4 portions
place each portion into coffee mugs
line the bottom of microwave with wax paper to avoid big messes
place mug in microwave and cover with another sheet of wax paper
microwave on medium-high for 11 minutes or until no longer pink inside   if its still pink, try another 30 seconds
carefully remove with oven mits they're hot
spread with ketchup, re-cover with wax paper, and let stand 2 mins

mmm, a classic.

skor caramel apple dip

trick or treat leftovers?

halloween is over for another year but those leftover candy bars are still lingering around. put them to good use with this delicious dip for apple slice snacking.


you need this stuff:
1 pkg. (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
1 container caramel dip  find this in the produce section of the grocery store

skor bars, finely chopped

spread layer of cream cheese onto flat plate,
then spread caramel dip for the next layer,
sprinkle generously wih skor bits for the top layer,
cut apple wedges,
keep it chilled in fridge


dip, devour, repeat.



oven crispy fish 'n chips

baked not fried
let's be honest... crispy, greasy, deep-fried food tastes good.

but unfortunately, fried foods are not our friends.. here are just a couple unappetizing reasons why:

high cholesterol

cancer

obesity

heart disease aka the #1 leading cause of death in america

so you're a big fan of fish and chips but not such a big fan of the extra fat and calories that go along with it? don't worry, this easy oven-baked solution kicks the craving with just a couple healthier adjustments.


oven-baked crispy fish 'n chips

PREP: 10 mins
TOTAL: 45 mins

FEEDS: 4 starving students

you need this stuff:

2 large baking potatoes cut into 8 wedges each

1/4 cup zesty italian dressing

1 pouch shake'n bake extra crispy original coating mix

4 white fish fillets try halibut, cod, or tilapia

1/4 cup miracle whip dressing

FRIES:

heat oven to 400F

toss potatoes with italian dressing

then add 1/4 cup coating mix and toss

spread onto big baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray

bake 20 mins

FISHIES:
meanwhile, spread remaining coating mix on large plate
spread fish with 2 tbsp miracle whip
press into coating mix to completely coat all sides of fish fillets
place on rack of broiler pan
add fish to oven with potatoes

bake for 15 more mins or until fish fillets flake easily with fork & taters are tender

buffalo style chicken strips

saucy game night snacks

enjoy this appetizer with a few buddies while watching your favourite game

fight the freshman 15 with this spicy twist on boneless chicken wings. the chicken tenders are marinated in hot sauce and then baked, not fried. cool off by dunking them in low-fat blue cheese dressing. 
eat & dip 4 strips for under 200 calories!

PREP: 5 mins
TOTAL: 25 mins
FEEDS: 4 starving students

you need this stuff:
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup louisiana-style hot sauce
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp butter/margerine
1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast halves   cut on the diagonal into 1 inch wide strips
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing


GAME ON:
combine the pepper sauce, hot sauce, worcestershire sauce in a small pot and set over medium heat
bring to a boil

reduce heat & let simmer 1 minute

remove from heat

add 1 tsp of the butter & stir until melted

melt the remaining 2 tsps butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat

add the chicken

cook & stir until browned and cooked through (8-10 mins)

add the hot-sauce mixture

cook & toss 1 minute

serve with blue cheese dressing, carrot and celery sticks

chocolate covered cranberries

sweet tooth?

choco-holics, your time has come. keep these extremely addictive sweet and sour treats in the fridge for easy snacking.

you need this stuff:
12 ounces fresh cranberries (1 package)
1 package milk chocolate chips
2 tbsp shortening

melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat in a pot on the stove
stir frequently until melted
dip cranberries in chocolate with toothpick until coated
        this step is tedious and time-consuming... try dumping a handful in at a time, then remove them using a slotted pooper-scooper
place on wax paper
refrigerate until firm
store in fridge

simple spaghetti n meatballs

thatsa spicy meataball

PREP 10 mins
TOTAL 30 mins
FEEDS 4 starving students

for best results, prepare while listening to these italian anthems:




you need this stuff:
1/2 cup garlic flavoured bbq sauce
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 lb. extra lean ground beef  or try ground turkey breast to fight the freshman 15
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 package spaghetti noodles (900g)
1 can spaghetti sauce (680ml)
1 egg

combine the ground beef with the bread crumbs, garlic bbq sauce, egg, and 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
roll into even-sized balls.. about 24 of em'
place on baking sheet
bake at 400F for 20 mins they shouldn't be pink inside

meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water
drain water
heat pasta sauce and cooked meatballs in a frying pan on medium heat
serve cooked spaghetti with sauce, meatballs, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese

*** freeze leftover meatballs for delicious meatball subs

snacks that make you smart

brain food

don't let the pressures of midterm season get to you


cramming? these foods help boost brain activity:
avacados
bananas
beef
broccoli
brown rice
cantaloupe
cheese
chicken
collard greens
eggs
legumes
milk
oatmeal
oranges
peanut butter
peas
potatoes
romaine lettuce
salmon
soybeans
spinach
tuna
turkey
yogurt

smarty-pants fruit smoothie
feed your head with this delicious fruity drink mmm

 

you need this stuff:
1/3 cup sliced strawberries
1/3 cup blueberries
1/3 cup sliced bananas
1/4 cup orange juice
6 oz. vanilla low fat yogurt

place all ingredients in a blender
blend for 1 min
ace midterms

pizza pocket chicken

everybody loves pizza
save your $$$, don't order delivery tonight. try these easy pepperoni & cheese stuffed chicken breasts for dinner. total cost of all ingredients = $3.66, that's under a dollar per serving mmmm

PREP 15 mins
TOTAL 45 mins
FEEDS 4 starving students

you needs this stuff:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
15 pepperoni slices
1 egg
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cub bread crumbs
6 tbsps vegetable oil

line a baking sheet with aluminum foil & preheat oven to 250

trim the chicken breasts of fat
slice each chicken breast in half
cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast (not all the way through, just enough to stuff with cheese and pepperoni)
stuff each piece of chicken with some cheese and pepperoni (4 slices)

heat a large skillet with 6 tbsp vegetable oil (med/high heat)

using 3 shallow dishes, put the flour in one, the egg (beaten) in the second, and the bread crumbs in the third
coat each piece of chicken in the flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs on each side (make sure you keep the pocket closed)

place all 4 pieace of chicken in the skillet and soak until they are golden brown and crispy all over (2-3 mins)
remove the chicken from the skillet
place chicken on baking sheet
put in the oven at 350 for 25 mins

serve with pasta or salad, mmm


DID YOU KNOW
the average American family orders pizza at least once a week?

10 grown up grilled cheese sandwiches

easy cheesy recipesies

there is no arguing that that grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the best inventions this planet has ever known.  they just can`t be beat.

never made one before? you poor, deprived individual... have no fear.  just take 2 slices of bread and butter one side of each. place one slice (butter side down) in a frying pan on medium heat. top with cheese slices and then close the sandwich with the other slice of bread (butter side up). flip the sammy until the outsides of the bread are golden brown and the cheese is melted inside. 

try these 10 tasty twists on your classic grilled cheese:

1. use cinnamon-raisin bread with cheddar cheese, add a layer of apple slices
2. spread inside with mayo, add tomato slices and crispy bacon

3. spread inside with pizza sauce, use mozzarella, add pepperoni and sprinkle with parmesan

4. spread outside with garlic butter instead, fill with hummus and cheddar cheese

5. spread inside with mayo, fill with onions and swiss/cheddar cheese

6. fill with cheddar cheese, hot peppers and salsa
7. use mozzarella, pack with roast beef and red pepper slices

8. use cheddar cheese + tomato slices, onions and hot banana peppers

9. spread inside with bbq sauce, use swiss cheese and add crispy bacon

10. spread inside with a layer of sweet brown sugar, maple syrup and use swiss cheese

thanksgiving in your dorm

impossible? nope
so you're not making the voyage back to your hometown for canadian turkey day? no problem. don't deny yourself or your roomies a happy thanksgiving with all the trimmings.


1. turkey 101
this easy peasy recipe will get you the main events turkey + stuffing + gravy:

PREP: 10 mins
TOTAL: under 2 hrs
FEEDS: 10 starving students (leftover turkey = sandwiches for a week mmm)

you need this stuff:

1 thawed frozen whole turkey breast (5 lbs)  roasting a turkey breast is the easiest, quickest and most practical solution
1 tbsp olive oil
2 pkgs stuffing mix for turkey (try Stove Top brand)
2 cans turkey gravy (254 ml each)
1/4 cups sour cream

preheat the oven to 425ºF
place mr.turkey (breast side up) in a greased 13x9 inch pan
brush with oil   add spices like rosemary and thyme and salt/pepper if you`re feelin fancy
bake for 30 mins
reduce temperature to 325ºF and bake for one more hour

meanwhile, prepare stuffing as directed on package (its easy!)

heat gravy in a small saucepan
stir in sour cream


2. taters
these garlic mashed potatoes will be delicious with your perfect turkey

PREP 10 mins
TOTAL 30 mins
FEEDS 8 starving students

you need this stuff:
2 and 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
3 cloves of garlic
1 container of herb and garlic flavoured cream cheese (250 g)
1 tsp salt

cook potatoes and garlic in boiling water in a covered pot for 15-20 mins your taters should feel tender
drain
put them back in the pot
add remaining ingredients
mash until smooth with a potato masher


3. veggies
your plate would be naked without these fresh peppers and green beans

PREP 10 mins
TOTAL 20 mins
FEEDS 8 starving students

you need this stuff:

2 onions, cut into thin slices

1/2 cup olive oil, divided try Kraft extra virgin olive oil and sundried tomatoe dressing instead mmm

1 lb  green beans, trim off the tips with scissors

1/4 cup water

1 red pepper, cut into thin strips

 

cook onions in 1/4 cup dressing in large skillet on medium heat for 5 min
add beans and water
stir
cover and cook 5 mins
stir in peppers
cover and cook 5 mins
remove from heat
stir in remaining dressing.

4. dessert
fall in love with this 5 minute Toblerone chocolate mousse

PREP 5 mins
TOTAL ten mins
FEEDS 4 starving students

you need this stuff:
8 peaks toblerone swiss milk chocolate
1 cup whipped topping try cool whip

microwave chocolate in medium microwaveable bowl on high for 1 min or until melted
cool 1 min
add whipped topping
stir gently with whisk until blended.
stick it in the fridge for 5 min

easy bake muffins

mmmuffins

supply yourself breakfast for 12 mornings or enjoy as study snacks.

is your muffin buttered?

chocolate chip banana muffins

PREP 10 mins
TOTAL 30 mins
MAKES 12 breakfasts to go

you need this stuff:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp. Baking Powder  (try Magic)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips  (try Baker's)

1 egg

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

 

 

grease a muffin tin or line with paper baking cups for TWELVE muffins 

mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a big bowl

add chocolate chips to the mix

whisk egg, bananas, milk and butter together in a separate bowl

mix the 2 bowls of ingredients together

spoon into muffin tin, filling to the rim 

bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 mins

restrain yourself for 5 mins while the muffins cool

remove from tin and store in tuperware/airtight container

ways with ramen

ramen to the rescue

so it's 2 am, you've been cramming for as long as you can remember. your stomach is growling and if it wasn't for all the coffee, you'd be sleeping on your textbooks. you need to eat, but pasta would take too long to cook and your cookies have mysteriously vanished. what do you do?

lucky for you, college students are blessed with... RAMEN

why ramen?

1. 15¢ per package (never choose between groceries & partying)

2. delicious cooked or uncooked

3. fast and easy to make

4. can be mixed with anything for unusual and tasty results
5. full of protein
6. perfect food if zombies attack (because ramen are light and, therefore, easy to carry)
7. ramen noodles keep you guessing (is it one long noodle wrapped over itself? or are there more?)
8. you're in college

saucy beef skillet

PREP 5 mins

TOTAL 20 mins

FEEDS 4 starving students

you need this stuff:

2 packages beef flavour ramen noodle soup mix
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 green pepper (chopped)
1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup water

1/4 cup italian dessing  

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

brown ground beef in a large skillet on medium-high

drain

mix in pepper, tomatoes, water and dressing
add dry noodles & flavour packet to skillet

bring to a boil & cover

reduce to low heat

simmer & stir 5 mins

serve sprinkled with cheese

asian chicken stir-fry skillet

a one skillet wonder

so, its your turn to make dinner for your housemates tonight? impress them with this deliciously simple, asian inspired dish

PREP: 10 mins
TOTAL: just 20 mins
FEEDS: 4 starving students

you need this stuff
2 tsp. oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (chop them into strips)
3 cups veggies (like brocolli, peppers, onions, mushrooms etc)
         -use fresh ones OR thawed frozen ones
1/4 cup Asian Sesame Dressing (try Kraft)
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. honey
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
3 cups cooked instant/minute rice


heat the oil in a big skillet on medium-high temp & add chicken
cook & stir until chicken is no longer pink (prob 7 mins)
add your veggies, dressing, soy and honey
mix & cook for 2 more mins
sprinkle with peanuts
pile over the rice

chop sticks optional

volunteer to do dishes tonight (you only used one skillet)
remind your housemates of this tomorrow night

3 breakfasts of champions

these easy twists on breakfast favourites take less than 5 minutes to make. say good-bye to boring breakfasts

1. pb+j banana waffle-wich

toast 2 frozen waffles to perfection
top with peanut butter, a little bit of strawberry jam
sprinkle on a spoonful of granola
add banana slices

presto

2. apple cinnamon bagel

toast up your fav bagel
top with with cream cheese spread
add thin apple slices
sprinkle ground cinnamon

voila

3. nacho breakfast burrito

spray a small bowl with cooking spray
add 1 egg and beat with a fork (the egg will explode if you don't... seriously)
microwave on high for 30 seconds
add a spoonful of salsa and a pinch of shredded cheese
microwave again for 30 seconds

make it a fiesta by adding shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, peppers etc etc

gracias

super simple sloppy joes

back off! get your own sandwich

PREP: 10 mins
TOTAL: only 23 mins
FEEDS: 4 starving students

you need this stuff
1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced (chopped teeny tiny)
1 cup pasta sauce
4 buns, toasted
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

cook the meat together with onions and garlic in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat until the beef is brown, stirring frequently

mix in pasta sauce and cook for 3 mins or until heated, still stirring frequently

fill buns with  the mixture and add cheese on top

mmm...

NOTE: the dreaded freshman 15 is more than a campus urban legend.. combat this sneaky beast by substituting ground beef for ground turkey breast to save on fat and calories.

what to do with sloppy seconds?

freeze the leftover mixture in sandwich bags, microwave one of the individual servings and put over toasted bagels for a quick sandwich.