During the first semester of my freshman year of college, I didn’t gain the Freshman 15, I gained the Freshman 30. While I’m all about body positivity and loving yourself at any size, ballooning from my tiny 100lb frame to 130lbs within a matter of months meant nothing in my closet fit, and, more importantly, I suddenly had difficulties keeping up with my daily activities. What was most shocking to me during that time was that as I gained the 30lbs, I never realized it was happening until I went home for the Thanksgiving holiday and my mom bluntly pointed it out the moment I saw her at the airport.
Going from my mom’s balanced and organic home cooked meals and dining out at healthy restaurants to suddenly having a buffet-style cafeteria that offered all sorts of comfort foods and desserts all day meant that if I didn’t have self-control, my health and waistline were in for a wild ride.
So, for the soon-to-be college freshmen: If you’re lucky enough to get a dorm room with a kitchen, brush up on some basic cooking skills. But if you end up with a sharing a room with someone and the most complex piece of cooking equipment you can fit in there is a microwave, things will be a bit tougher. However, there are still microwave recipes that are easy, delicious, and, most importantly, healthy.
While I learned these recipes in my early 20s, I still use some of them to this day. They make for easy clean-up when you’re done cooking and are great for when you’re not cooking for multiple people.
Tips:
1. Make sure you get yourself a nice big microwave-safe mug.
2. Get yourself a tiny whisk. It mixes better than a fork.
Keto Mug Bread
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/3 cup almond flour (Coconut flour works too)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
Directions:
Microwave the butter for about 15 seconds to melt it. Combine the rest of the ingredients in the mug and mix until smooth. Microwave for about 90 seconds at maximum power. Let cool before slicing.
Egg Omelet in a Mug
• 2 eggs
• Cooking spray or oil (spray or coat your mug so that your omelet doesn’t stick)
Directions:
This one is super straightforward. Beat your eggs in your mug and add in anything you want in your omelets. The eggs take about 1.5 minutes to fully cook in the microwave, and everything else is just in along for the ride.
Chocolate Mug Cake
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbs sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp milk
• 2 tbs oil
• 1 tbs Nutella (or mini chocolate chips)
Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients together first. Then whisk in the milk and oil until there are no more clumps in your batter. Pour your ingredients into a mug and be sure to leave a bit of space for when the cake rises. Add your Nutella in the middle of the batter. Microwave your cake for 70 seconds on the high setting.
Tip: Put a piece of paper towel in the microwave in case your cake overflows.
Mug Pizza
• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/16 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon marinara sauce
• 1 generous tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 mini pepperoni (if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil or oregano will work)
Directions:
Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in you mug and add in the milk and oil and mix some more. It’s ok if you have some lumps. Spoon on the marinara sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter.Sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, and dried herbs
Microwave for 1 minute 10 – 1 minute 20 seconds at 1200W, or until it rises up and the toppings are bubbling.
Blueberry Muffin
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• pinch cinnamon
• 1/2 Tbsp butter|
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1-2 Tbsp frozen blueberries
Directions:
Stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a mug until well mixed. Add the butter and use your fingers to rub or smoosh them together until no large chunks of butter remain and the mixture looks like damp sand. Stir the milk into the butter/flour mixture. It should now resemble a thick muffin batter. If it’s too dry, add a splash of more milk. Sprinkle blueberries over top and push them down into the batter. Microwave on high for approximately 90 seconds.
Images: Pexels
This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Graduation issue
