The Basic Essentials for Your College Cooking

This blog is all about how to cook while living on a college campus but, how are you supposed to cook unless you have the proper tools? At Drexel University, like most other colleges, the residential dorms are equipped with full kitchens that students have access to. This conveniently widens the range of foods a student can cook if he/she makes sure to have this list of kitchen necessities.

Cookware:

1. A medium sized pot with a lid.
2. A medium sized skillet with a lid.
3. A 13x9 in. baking dish
4. A baking sheet (at least one)

Basic ingredients:
These ingredients can be found in almost any recipe we will come across. While buying according to recipe to start off may be the smartest thing, by the time you are in the full swing of cooking on campus, your pantry (or food storage locker) will most likely have the following ingredients.

1. All- purpose flour 
2. White and Brown sugar
3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This one is the lightest option when cooking. Vegetable oil is good to have too for baking needs.
4. Baking powder
5. Baking soda
6. Butter or Margarine depending on what the recipe calls for.
7. Eggs
8. Spices and Seasonings. According to Article Base every cook should start with these spices in their kitchen: Basil, Bay Leaves, Chili, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin, Curry Powder, Nutmeg, Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme. You may not actually need all of these spices but check the recipes and as your pantry grows, don't be surprised when they do become familiar for your cooking needs.

 Utensils:

1. A set of mixing bowls. Preferably plastic so incase they are dropped, they *hopefully* won't break!
2. A set of measuring cups.
3. A set of measuring spoons
4. A big wooden or plastic mixing spoon.
5. One good, sharp knife. (About six inches long and about an inch wide)
6. A can opener. (This one may not be completely necessary depending on if you can find cans with a pop-top)
7.  This isn't a utensil but having Pam Non-stick Spray® is always good to have around the kitchen for either baking or cooking on a pan.

Storage Products:

1. Storage containers that are small enough to fit into the fridge you are using.
2. Aluminum foil
3. Plastic Wrap
4. PAPER TOWELS! (Things can get messy in the kitchen. You may be able to take these from your hall bathroom but make sure you have plenty around while cooking)
5.  Sandwich bags. (You can generally make anything fit into these by cutting it down to size)

Eating Needs:

You have to have something to put the yummy food on after you make it.

• 2-4 plates
• 2-4 bowls
• 2 mugs
• 2 drinking cups
• 2 spoons, forks, knives

Target has some really good, reasonably prices options for these necessities that you can check out here.  I also have found a lot of my kitchen items at stores like Ross®, TJ Maxx®, and Marshalls®. At these stores, I have been able to find what I need for a low price. Even though they may not be the most glamourous kitchen tools ever seen they work great! If somehow they get broken or stolen, it's not the biggest deal in the world because they weren't too much of an investment anyway. 

Much of this list was modified to fit a college kitchen from this page.

Where To Shop!

It seems like the most difficult part of cooking on a city campus is finding a place to grocery shop. It takes a little digging to find close stores that also have quality products, but we did all of the work for you!! Here it what we have found for great local places to grocery shop near Drexel University in Philadelphia:

Fresh Grocer (40^th and Walnut)

Although it is kind of far, Fresh Grocer is the best option for grocery shopping on campus. It is one of the only places with a large selection of produce, meats, and all other cooking essentials.

Trader Joe’s (21^st and Market)

A little bit closer is Trader Joe’s, the best place to find eggs, milk, and lots of fantastic specialty items made by Trader Joe’s. However, there is no fresh produce or raw meat to cook with.

Clark Park Farmer’s Market (43^rd and Baltimore Aveneue)

Clark Park is only open on Saturdays, but this farmer’s market is a great find for food and fun! With a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry, herbs, teas, chocolates, and bakeries this is a fantastic place that is definitely worth the long walk!!

Wawa (36^th and Chestnut)

Wawa is good for simple ingredients such as milk, oil, and occasional fruit. Although it is not the best choice for grocery shopping, it is very close and convenient for a last-minute trip.

Breakfast

Everyone always says breakfast is the most important meal of the day (Check this out), and it couldn’t be truer in college! Whether you have a test at 8 am, or a 10 am biology lab, eating breakfast will, without a doubt, give you an amazing kick start to your day. Why pay the absurd prices for the dining hall’s breakfast when you could buy ingredients to make healthier, more affordable options? The following recipes don’t require much effort or time at all so you can begin your day with a satisfied belly and f u l l e r wallet. 

Bacon Omelette Roll with Salsa 

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Ready In: 38 Minutes


Ingredients 

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

2 teaspoons flour

1/8 red pepper, finely chopped

1/2 slice bacon, cooked, crumbled

3/8 green onions, finely chopped

1/8 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed

1-3/4 cups KRAFT Mozzarella-Cheddar Shredded Cheese

2 tablespoons salsa, warmed

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with parchment paper, with ends extending over shortest sides of pan. Spray with cooking spray. Beat egg, milk and flour in large bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in next 4 ingredients; pour into prepared pan. 

 

3. Bake 14 to 16 min. or until edges are almost set. Top with cheese; bake 2 min. or until melted.

4. Roll up omelette immediately, starting at one short end and peeling off paper as omelette is rolled. Place on platter; cut into slices. Serve with salsa.
Amount Per Serving 

Calories: 208 | Total Fat: 13.3g | Cholesterol: 199mg 

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Almond Crunch Oatmeal

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Ready In: 25 Minutes

Ingredients

Topping:

1 tablespoon and 1-3/4 teaspoons quick or old-fashioned oatmeal

2-1/2 teaspoons sliced almonds

1-1/4 teaspoons honey

Oatmeal:

3/5 cup Silk Pure Almond Original or Vanilla

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon quick or old-fashioned oatmeal

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. For the topping: In a small bowl toss together oatmeal, almonds and honey. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 5-7 minutes

3. Meanwhile, prepare oatmeal: In a medium saucepan bring Silk Pure Almond to a boil over medium heat

4. Stir in cinnamon and oats and cook according to oatmeal package directions, usually about 1-2 minutes for quick oats, 3-5 minutes for old fashioned oats. Pour oatmeal into bowls and sprinkle with topping.

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 244 | Total Fat: 6.5g | Cholesterol: 0mg

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Breakfast Tortilla

Prep Time:
 5 Minutes

Ready In:
 10 Minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons refried beans

2 tablespoons salsa

3 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

4 (6 inch) flour tortillas (Whole wheat tortillas are just as delicious and more nutritious)

1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce

Directions

1. Stir the beans and salsa together in a small bowl until smooth.

2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour beaten eggs into pan and allow bottom to set, approximately 1 minute.

3. Spread bean mixture onto one half of eggs and flip other half over to make a half-circle. Continue to cook until eggs are set.

4. Spread an equal amount of mayonnaise onto each tortilla. Cut eggs into 4 equal pieces and place one piece on each tortilla. Cover each with shredded lettuce.

5. Roll up tortillas and serve!

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 392 | Total Fat: 19.7g | Cholesterol: 271mg

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