Tired of mystery meat in the student dining hall? For some college students, dorm room cooking is the answer. Of course, college residence halls aren't exactly made for food preparation, so learning how to pull this off can be a bit of a challenge. Here are some basic tips to get a new student started in the world of dorm room cooking,
Follow Campus Dorm Room Cooking Rules and Guidelines
First of all, before moving into their new digs, incoming students need to find out what the rules are about cooking in their rooms. While some colleges and universities allow students to cook with a wide variety of small appliances, other limit the equipment students can use. Some schools even ban dorm room cooking altogether.
If dorm room cooking is limited or prohibited, find out what kinds of kitchen facilities are available in the building. Depending on the kitchen setup, this might be sufficient.
Dorm Room Cooking Safety
If cooking is allowed in the dorm room, students should familiarize themselves with basic dorm cooking safety information. Students need to be concerned about both fire safety and food safety issues. Here are some important dorm room cooking safety tips that students need to know.
Clean Up Dorm Room Food
Dormitories often are in older buildings that are susceptible to roaches, mice, and other pests. Be sure to clean up any crumbs or other residue of dorm cooking, and get into the habit of washing dishes immediately in the kitchen or bathroom sink with dish soap. Throw away unused food, or store it in a dorm room or kitchen refrigerator in an airtight container. Be sure to carefully store open food that doesn't require refrigeration as well. (Here are some additional tips for how to keep a dorm room clean.)
Dorm Room Cooking Essentials
Purchasing the necessary equipment to cook in a dorm room isn't the same as shopping for a new kitchen. Students need to remember that there isn't all that much space for equipment or to prepare food, so it's best to stick to the basics, like a dorm room refrigerator, microwave, and simple utensils. Here is a list of dorm essentials for student cooking.
Easy Dorm Room Cooking Ideas
Keep dorm cooking simple. It's a good idea to invest in a dorm room cookbook or two to stock up on some easy ideas. It's helpful to try to find recipes that require as little actual cooking as possible.
Here are some easy ingredients to keep on hand to whip up simple meals that involve little preparation:
- Pre-cooked chicken strips
- Bagged salad mixes
- Cut and packaged vegetables and fruits
- Instant soup containers that can be mixed with hot water
- Yogurt cups, with granola or fruit to mix in
- Cereal, milk, and fruit
- Instant oatmeal
- Dried pasta
- Macaroni and cheese or other pasta mixes
- Canned tuna and tuna salad makings
- Premade cookie dough
- Refried beans, tortilla shells, and other basic burrito makings
Getting Ready for Dorm Room Cooking
Although a dorm room doesn't come with a fabulous kitchen, with a little work, students can learn how to prepare simple meals and make their room feel a little more like a home. Use common sense about safety and cleaning and follow any schools and regulations, and preparing food at college can be easy and fun.
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