As the semester heats up, you may be getting burnt out on Bon meals, feeling more distant than ever. The excitement of a new semester has faded and late night study sessions are in full swing. As students face back-to-back deadlines, DoorDash may seem like the best option. With the academic stressors, long nights at practice or activities, and maintaining a social life, food often gets put on the back burner.
For many students, and especially those who come from international backgrounds, food brings back many memories from home kitchens or sitting down with family.
I have curated a list of simple and easy international dorm dishes from students from a variety of cultures for when you are in need of a home-cooked meal. This list is full of traditional meals from different cultures, but with an easy dorm spin.
1. American Tteokbokki (Korean)
Ingredients:
-Korean-style ricecakes -11⁄2-2cupswater
-2 tablespoons gochujang paste -1 tablespoon sugar
-1 teaspoon soy sauce
-1 teaspoon salt
-1-2 green onions
-Mozzarella
Recipe:
First, boil water. Then mix in gochujang paste, soy sauce, sugar and salt. Mix to taste. It should be a nice medium between sweet, spicy and salty. Next, add rice cakes. Make sure the water barely covers the rice cakes and cover the pot. Let it sit for five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally. The water should boil down to a thick sauce that coats each rice cake. Then open the pot and lay mozzarella slices over rice cakes. Cover for one to two minutes until melted. Lastly, add green onion slices as garnish and serve.
2. English Muffin Pizzas (Italian)
Ingredients:
-English muffins
-Pizza sauce or marinara
-A cheese of your choosing (my favorites are colby jack or mozzarella)
Recipe:
Separate your English muffins in half. Optionally, toast your English muffins for a firmer base. Spread your pizza sauce over your English muffins. Add cheese. Microwave for two to three minutes or until cheese is melted.
3. Khichdi (Indian)
Ingredients:
-Ghee or butter
-1 tablespoon salt
-1 tablespoon cumin
-1⁄2 tablespoon turmeric powder -1 1⁄2 cups water
-1⁄2 cup lentils
-1⁄2 cup rice
-Hing (optional)
Recipe:
Wash lentils and rice and soak for 40 minutes. In a rice cooker or pan add butter. Once the butter is melted, add cumin, turmeric and salt. Once the spices are cooked, add water. After adding water, add rice and lentils and let cook for 15-20 minutes. Finally, once done, add salt and ghee, then serve.
4. Caldo Verde (Portuguese)
Ingredients:
-1 potato
-1 cup shredded kale or spinach
-Half cube vegetable or chicken bouillon
-Olive oil
-Optional: sliced chourico
Recipe:
First, microwave the potato in a bowl with water for five to seven minutes until soft. Then mash slightly. Next, add shredded kale or spinach and bouillon cube. Microwave the potato again for two to three more minutes. Drizzle olive oil on top and add chourico if you have it.
5. Arroz con Gandules (Puerto Rican)
Ingredients:
-1 cup cooked rice
-Small can of gandules (pigeon peas) -1 tablespoon sofrito
-Sazon packet
-1 tablespoon olive oil
Recipe:
First, heat oil and sofrito in a pan.Then, add drained gandules and half a packet of sazon. Next, stir in your cooked rice. Heat for two to three minutes.
At the end of the day, food does not have to be monotonous. Whether you are cooking a special dish for self-care or treating homesickness, a comforting meal can be the best medicine. While these recipes may not be exactly like home due to limited supplies, time and money, they can serve as a reminder of the comfort of home. The next time the Bon looks unappetizing, study nights, practiceorclubshaveyouhomelater than normal, try one of these quick, simple, low-ingredient meals.
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