Most students are struggling with two main problems in college: studying and cooking. However the first one is more serious, the second issue can cause some discomfort too. Probably you hadn’t cooked much before you entered the university, but since you’ve moved from your parents who usually make tasty meals, cooking became one of your chores.
Another reason why students may avoid cooking is a big number of tasks. Sometimes students are so overloaded with assignments and research papers that they can’t engage in any other activities except for studying. In this case, you can turn to the best Australian assignment writing service and get assistance with your academic work. This service helps to save time and meet all deadlines.
Some students manage to survive with the help of takeaways and ready meals for the first semester or two. But after some time they realize the disadvantages of such an approach. First of all, it’s quite expensive and you can easily exceed your monthly budget. Besides, ready meals are usually unhealthy as restaurants often add too much oil and sugar there. These are the main reasons why most students decide to start cooking by themselves. If you also want to make food on your own and need some help with it, consider the seven student cooking tips below.
1.Always season food
Chefs say that seasoning can change even the blandest food into something outstanding. Try to use not only salt and pepper but also to add some herbs and spices to your dishes. Seasoning can completely transform the way you cook and make prepared food much more delicious. If you are a fan of Italian food and pasta is your typical meal for dinner, then you should learn how to use dried oregano and basil in the right proportions. Also, if you have chili powder, paprika, or Cajun pepper, you can use them for almost any dish as they match most products pretty well. Moreover, you can find some spice shakers that include garlic salt and some herb mixes which can turn a dull dish into a very delicious one.
2. Keep all basic ingredients in your cupboard
Typically, many recipes require the same base ingredients. Therefore, it’s a good idea to buy them in advance and stock them in your kitchen. Especially if you are too busy with study or just too tired to go to the shop, you can easily access all the essentials in your cupboard and make dinner yourself instead of ordering the food. In the long run, it will save you money and help you feel healthier.
3. Make use of your microwave
It may be hard to believe but your microwave can become an ally in making tasty meals. Of course, it will not be as good as the oven, but still, it can help you cook some simple dishes. Besides, it requires less effort so you can save your energy for something more important.
4. Freeze some food
A freezer can make your food last months longer (of course if none of your mates takes it earlier). Choose freezer bags as they take up less room than boxes and put there some portions of soup, meat, sauces, or whatever you want. You can freeze almost any type of food and it won’t lose its taste, just try it! Anytime you feel lazy to cook, just take a portion of a meal and defrost it. This will save you both money and brain cells.
5. Buy a really good pan
Get a good non-stick frying pan to make your food taste much better. If you invest in a decent saucepan, you’ll be surprised how it improves the flavor of your meal. Moreover, these utensils will make cooking and cleaning processes much easier.
6. Make a meal plan
Planning your meals in advance will save you both budget and effort. If you decide on your meals for the following week, it will make shopping easier as you know exactly what you need to buy. Make sure you have all the ingredients at home, so you won’t go to KFC to avoid shopping. In addition, meal plans will make your nutrition rich with various foods.
7. Look for inspiration
University cooking needs you to be inspired. You can get it from your family members who share their recipes with you or from friends who are into cooking. There are also so many websites with recipes for any skill level. If you always try to cook new dishes and master your talent, cooking won’t be a chore for you, but rather an exciting activity during study breaks.
Following these tips will help you to become a confident cook. Anybody can learn to cook by applying simple instructions described above. Take your time to practice as much as you need and enjoy the process itself!
Author’s BIO
Sandra Larson is a professional writer from Elizabethan Authors and an amateur cook who enjoys experimenting with food. She never stops trying new recipes and mastering her cooking skills. Sandra believes that cooking for students is not a routine, but an amusing activity.