Easy and fun Cheese sticks!
Your favorite cheese (harder cheeses work better.)
Bread Crumbs (Plain or seasoned experiment a little)
2 eggs beaten (You can leave the yolks out, just add 2 extra eggs.)
Garlic powder
Chili powder
salt and pepper
Oven or toaster oven pre-heated to 375
For this I usually use Mozzarella cheese it had a hardness to it that keeps it from melting as quickly in the oven. Don't be afraid to mix cheeses; they can stick together if you heat them a bit then refridgerate them.
This is going to be a measure by eye kind of thing as some people will cut longer pieces of cheese or coat them with more crumbs.
Pour the bread crumbs and seasoning into a bowl or shallow dish (go easy on the salt and pepper!) Cut the cheese into slices. I usually do 2x1x1 inch blocks but you can do cubes or longer pieces. Dip the cheese into the eggs and straight to the bread crumbs. Get all the sides coated in bread crumbs and set aside for a second coat. After coating all the cheese slices you may need to refridgerate if you're using a soft cheese before you coat again. Give the cheese a second coat and place on a non-stick or oiled baking sheet. (You can also use parchment paper that's been lightly sprayed.)
Bake for 10-15 minutes time will vary greatly depending on the size and softness of cheese. For cream cheese bake only until egg is cooked thoroughly.
If you slice the block of cheese into 1/2 inch thick sheets you can press small cookie cutters into it for fun shapes!
>>Somehing to think about!<<
If you boil something in the water with noodles the noodles will take on a little of that flavor! So if you want to change the taste of your ramen to vegan boil frozen veggies in the water with them!
If you're bored with ramen but don't have much money keep a few things around to help zing up your dish.
*>Frozen Veggies - A must for anyone, because who has the time to go out and get new tomatoes every week, plus storing them is a hassle, and chopping them is right out of the question in a time pinch. And we can all use the extra nutrition right?
*> Keep your favorite spices close - I tend to favor basil and garlic so I keep dried basil and a canister of dried garlic in my cabinet. You can do a lot with a little!
*> Try something new - Don't be afraid to try out new things. Some friends and I discovered that Ranch powder (from your local Wal-Mart) goes pretty well with Ramen. And soysauce can make old dishes seem new.
*> Coupons are your friend - Yes they are! You can throw anything into a pan and have it come out pretty ok. But coupons can give you the things to throw in!
*> When you don't know - ask that chick (or guy) down the hall that always looks like they have something tasty to eat. Maybe they can only cook a few dishes but hey it looks good right?
*> Trade recipes - If you're at school or work and people have cooked something nummy, talk to them. Don't be afraid. Go ahead and ask for the recipe. If they can't remember ask if you could get it tomorrow or next week. I've gotten a few different recipes for my collection this way.
Rice with Chicken and Veggies!
1 c rice
2 c water
2 chicken breasts
1-1 1/2 c veggies
salt
pepper
1 clove garlic
Pour rice then water into a loaf pan. Put veggies and chicken on top. Dice garlic and add. Salt and pepper to taste. Put in the oven at 450 for 20-30 min or until cooked thoroughly.
Easy Peas-y Chicken Soup
1/8 C frozen peas
1/8 C frozen Carrots
1 C Frozen California Blend Veggies (this usually includes broccoli cauliflower and carrots)
2 Chicken Bullion Cubes (I use Wyler's)
3 C Water
1/2 tsp Ground Red Pepper
1/4 tsp Coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1 garlic clove diced
2 Tbs lime juice
2 Chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
1- 1/2 cup Pasta stars (optional)
Preheat oven to 400. Place chicken in small bread pan or small baking dish. Sprinkle on red pepper, onion powder, coriander, and garlic. Place a small amount of water in bottom of dish to keep chicken from sticking while cooking. Place in oven for 20 min.
Remove chicken from oven and cut into small 1/2 in pieces. Replace in oven for an additional 20 min. Begin boiling Stars now if you're using them.
Place frozen veggies in medium size pan along with water and bullion cubes. Let them boil. Keep an eye on everything but it should all turn out around the same time just make sure you're water doesn't boil out of the pan. Add chicken and broth (that's the stuff in the bottom of the baking dish) to veggies and let simmer for 5 min. (You may need to add more water it depends on your stove and how long it boils.) Serve.
This is a good recipe for a cold and keeps for about a week in the fridge.
Leave the pasta out for a gluten free option!
Yummy Potatos!
1 or more potatoes
per potato:
1 1/2 tsp basil
1/4 c canola oil
dash of onion powder
1 tsp ranch powder
1 clove of garlic
dash of salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Preheat oven to 475
Combine ingredients in bowl or ziplock bag. Wash and peel potatos. Slice thinly. Let potatos soak in sauce for at least 20 mins. place potatos in single layer and cook for 15 minutes each side or until golden brown.
Enjoy!!!
Pecan Fruit Sauce
It's kind of like applesause but with different fruits!
Ingredients:
1/8 cup of pecans finely chopped (optional)
1/8 c dried pineapple
1/4 c dried cranberries
1/4 c dried apricots
2 1/2 - 3 c applesauce
1/2 tsp cinnamin
1/4 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp honey
Optional ingredients:
1/2 tsp maple syrup
2 tbsp white wine
1 tsp Creme de cacao
In a skillet, simmer dried fruit and nuts in pan with a little water. Add in syrup wine and creme, this is to let the alcohol cook out and the flavors get into the fruit. Pour in the honey and applesauce and let simmer until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat. Blend fruit and sauce 'til smooth. Serve!
Honey Peppered Chicken
(all servings single multiply for more)
1 Large boneless skinless chicken breast
Ground black pepper
Basil
Garlic (fresh)
Onion Powder
Honey
Canola Oil
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Thaw chicken breast and give it a light brush of canola oil on both sides. Season with Basil, pepper, and onion powder. Dice 1/2 a clove of garlic and sprinkle on top of chicken. Drizzle honey on top to taste. Cook for 15 minutes at 450.
For two or more breasts I'd bump the time to 20 minutes but keep a eye on it!
This only takes a few minutes to prepare and you can walk away while it's in the oven!
I forgot to mention that this can be cooked in a toaster oven or on a hot plate. To cook with a hotplate just put a little canola oil in a skillet, only enough to keep it from sticking, and cook until it's no longer pink on the inside.
AKK! another week has rolled around and I haven't posted a recipe! I haven't got one prepared so umm I'll just give a couple of quick tips instead!
Do not overcook ramen, it can make you sick if you do.
Onion powder only adds onion smell not flavor (unless the item is very dry).
Never walk away from a pot of rice! It can overboil in a heartbeat.
When you have no oven, no stove, and no skillet there are still microwaves, forman grills, coffeepots, and hot plates. If you have none of these well...
Don't watch your favorite show while cooking. You'll either miss a part of the show or burn the food.
Okay? Well it's all I can offer at this time.
Sweet Potato Pie (without the pie)
Ingredients:
Sweet potato (however many you want)
Margerine or butter
Sugar
Maple syrup (optional)
Equipment:
Aluminum Foil
Oven or Toaster oven
Pre-heat oven to 400 or hottest setting on toaster oven. Scrub Sweet Potato under cold water to remove any dirt. Place potato on the aluminum foil (make sure it's a big peice). Cut a slit in the top of the potato. Slather with Margerine. Sprinkle with sugar, I use about a half a spoonful. Pour a little Syrup, just a little. Now fold foil lengthwise on the potato. Roll sides closed then the top! The foil should look like a pocket. Place in the oven and walk away. Let it cook for at least one hour.
I usually let mine cook at 500 for about an hour and then turn the oven off and leave the potato in while it cools. REMEMBER! Leaving an oven on while you aren't home is a safety hazard!
Try it out! The potatoe comes out really sweet and delicious! You could even try brown sugar or marshmallows!
About the Sweet Potato Pie:
If you add cinnamon it makes it more festive. Also, if you just have to have the pie crust but really can't bake in your dorm room. Make the potatoe as above (you may need two or three actually). When you pull the potatos out transfer to a plate and pull the skin off (it should peel very easily). Transfer peeled potatoes to a bowl and mash while adding in the butter and such that you baked them in, I really do mean the stuff left from baking. Only add enough to give it the right consistency, this differs for everyone. Pour into a pre-baked pie crust! Tada! You're done. Much less work than the origional and don't forget the marshmallows.
Poor? Hungry? Can you only afford ramen? Well here is the recipe for you!
This recipe will convince even your parents that you know how to cook, and that you're eating well!
Stir Fry Ramen
Ingredients:
Bag of mixed Veggies (frozen or non) $1.50/bag
Ramen Flavor of your choice $0.15/bag (I prefer beef)
Teriyaki Sauce $1.50/bottle
Any spices you'd want to add (I add chopped garlic) $varies
Equipment:
Hot plate or stovetop
Pan or skillet
Stir fry the veggies in the teriaki sauce (a little butter helps but is not necessary). Cook the ramen noodles. Drain. Add flavor powder to drained Ramen. Throw the cooked veggies on top.
No money? Out of food? Surviving on Canned goods?
No problem!
Twisted Veggie Soup
Ingredients:
You're Favorite Brand of Veggie Soup (or the one in the back of the cupboard with all the dust on it) Price .58-1.50
A1 Steak Sauce 1.50
Water
Spices
Equipment:
Hotplate or coffeemaker (hey it's college you're suppose to experiment)
Pan
Pour Veggie soup from can into pan add water. Add your favorite spices. Maybe some pepper, cayenne, or garlic powder. Add a splash of Steak Sauce (no more than 1/2 a teaspoon). Stir heat and serve.
