Nanny to Mommy

If you are getting ready to go to college, one thing you will need to do is cook for yourself. This can be a challenge if you have been used to your parents providing you with delicious home-cooked meals every evening. While it can be tempting to simply live off ready meals and fast food, this definitely does not come recommended. Not only is this bad for your health and can cause weight gain, but if you are not getting the nutrients you need it can also have a negative impact on your studies. With that being said, read on to discover some must-know cooking tips for college girls…

Know what starches last well in the fridge – Cooking for one can be a pain, which is why it is often a good idea to cook in bulk. You can then freeze meals or put them in the fridge and eat them another day. This is a good way to save money too. However, to do this, you need to know what starches are going to last well in the fridge. This includes the likes of potatoes, couscous, Quinoa, and plain pasta. With these foods, you can cook a big batch in one go and then eat them throughout the week. Brown and white rice tend to go dry and hard, so unless you are making fried rice, it is best to avoid cooking large amounts.

Read online comments before cooking a recipe – There are a few tips you should follow if you are using a recipe. Firstly, read it from start to finish before you start cooking. Some recipes are simple, yet they may require slow cooking or simmering for a long period of time, which means you will be very hungry if you only start cooking in the evening. You should also read online comments before cooking a recipe. These comments tend to be very helpful, as people may comment on different ways to cook or ingredients to use to make the recipe better or cheaper. This baked pork tenderloin recipe is a great one to try out.

Opt for olive oil, salt and pepper over rich dressing and sauces – You can save yourself calories and money by coating the likes of fish, steaks, and vegetables in extra virgin olive oil, salt and fresh cracked pepper. Not only does this taste delicious, but it is much easier too.

Don’t go for the cheapest pots and pans on the market – Yes, you are a student. Yes, money is probably tight. Yes, you have textbooks to buy, amongst many other things. However, you should not scrimp when it comes to pots and pans. This does not mean that you should spend a fortune, so don’t worry. But it does mean that you should not merely go for the cheapest pots and pans you can find, as these are going to be of a poor quality and they will not be non-stick. You need to go for a nonstick frying pan to ensure that your food does not get stuck to the pan; making it difficult to cook with and providing an uneven cook and burnt bits. A quality pan will last you throughout your entire college experience and longer, whereas cheap pans will need to be replaced regularly, so you can actually save money by investing in quality to begin with.

Freeze leftover wine in an ice cube tray – Most dishes taste better with a bit of red or white wine added. White wine is perfect for fish or chicken dishes, whereas red wine works well with red meats. However, you may be tempted to avoid this as a student because you never use a full bottle and the rest goes to waste. There is a simple solution to this. Simply pour the leftover wine into an ice cube tray and stick it in the fridge. You can then toss a wine cube into your dishes that require them when cooking.

Hopefully, you now feel more prepared to cook for yourself while you are in college. While this can seem daunting if you are not used to cooking, there is nothing to worry about. You will soon get used to it, and you never know, you may find that you have found a new hobby. While it can be tempting to simply live on takeaways every night, this is no good for any student, and it won’t be ideal for your bank balance either.