Have you ever wanted to try cooking for yourself? Or maybe your schedule doesn’t line up with campus meal times… Here’s 2 easy recipes that you can cook in your dorm room or kitchen that are sure to taste good and have you feeling good for the rest of your day.
1. Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Pasta
This recipe makes for a filling and flavorful dinner that you can make either in your house or dorm kitchen. All ingredients can be found at local grocery stores such as County Market here in Monmouth or Aldi in Galesburg.
Ingredients:
1 chicken breast
1 cup of panko bread crumbs 1tsp salt
1tsp pepper
1tsp dried basil (optional) 1 egg
½ cup parmesan
1 box of preferred pasta
1 jar of preferred pasta sauce
Directions:
In a bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, salt, pepper, basil, parmesan cheese, and whatever other seasonings you desire. In a separate bowl, crack and scramble an egg.
Place the chicken breast into the scrambled egg, making sure to coat the entire breast. Remove and place into the breadcrumb mixture. Cover the entire chicken breast in the breadcrumbs and then bake in the oven until fully cooked.
*If cooking in an air-fryer, 8 minutes on each side at 400 degrees is the standard cook
time.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente and top with heated pasta sauce of your preference. Slice the cooked chicken and place on top of the pasta. Garnish with parmesan.
2. Rice and Veggie Bowl
This recipe can be a quick and easy lunch or dinner that can include all of your favorite vegetables and keep you full for hours. The vegetables listed under ingredients are all completely optional and can be substituted with whatever you’d like to add. Many of them can also be found in the Mellinger Commons/Stockdale Cafeteria salad bar as well, making this a fairly low-priced meal.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup of preferred rice
¼ cup chopped cucumbers
¼ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
¼ cup rinsed kidney beans
¼ cup diced avocado
¼ cup corn
¼ cup diced bell peppers
¼ cup of diced chicken or steak (optional) Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing of choice
Directions:
In a bowl, place the rice on the bottom, add desired vegetables and meat on top. Top with salt, pepper, and dressing, mix and enjoy!
If you decide to try out any of these recipes, be sure to tag @mccourier1 on Instagram!
Mia Martino - Staff Writer