If you watch the sales, you can provide yourself and your roommates with fresh donuts for not too much in cost.
Need:
Packaged biscuits in the round containers. These are the ones you find in the refrigerated section at the store. You know the ones, you peel off the wrapper, smack it on the counter and it opens to reveal unbaked biscuits! The store brands are usually the best price.
About three cups cooking oil.
Heat the oil but keep a close eye on it. You don't want it smoking or burning. Be careful!
Open up your container of biscuits and lay them out on some paper towel. Using a bottle cap or something small and round, cut holes in the middle of the biscuit. Save the holes! The oil should be hot so carefully place in several of the prepared biscuits and holes. Watch them carefull and when they are golden brown on one side, turn them over and cook the other side. Take them from the hot oil and let them drain on paper towel to remove some of the excess oil.
While the donuts are still warm, you can top them in several different ways.
Spiced icing
1 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg - all or one of them.
Enough apple juice to form an icing.
Chocolate icing
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Enough milk to form an icing.
Cinnamon & Sugar
To ice the donuts, just dip the tops in the prepare icing and then place on a plate
to set up. For the cinnamon and sugar donuts, put the sugar combo in a small bag and gently shake the donuts until covered.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Dinner ALMOST like Mom would make!
My daughter loves pot roast and after dinner, she requested I put up a version for her and the rest of the college crowd who bothers to cook for themselves!
One beef pot roast (this can be a chuck roast, tri-tip, chuck steak . . .)preferably one that is on sale. Three to five pounds is good as you definitely want leftovers.
Two or three large potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters.
One onion, chopped
Five carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
Onion soup mix
In a deep frying pan that has a lid or a pot with the same qualifications, pour in a tablespoon or two of oil. Heat. Dust the meat with flour and slightly brown on each side. Turn down the heat. Add the chopped onion, a cup of water, and herbs and spices of choice. If you aren't into that sort of thing, a packet of onion soup mix works well. Cover the pot and simmer on a low heat for an hour or so. Thirty minutes into the cooking, add the carrots. Twenty minutes before you think it might be done, add the potatoes. When the potatoes are tender, you are done. Lightly salt and pepper and serve.
One beef pot roast (this can be a chuck roast, tri-tip, chuck steak . . .)preferably one that is on sale. Three to five pounds is good as you definitely want leftovers.
Two or three large potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters.
One onion, chopped
Five carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
Onion soup mix
In a deep frying pan that has a lid or a pot with the same qualifications, pour in a tablespoon or two of oil. Heat. Dust the meat with flour and slightly brown on each side. Turn down the heat. Add the chopped onion, a cup of water, and herbs and spices of choice. If you aren't into that sort of thing, a packet of onion soup mix works well. Cover the pot and simmer on a low heat for an hour or so. Thirty minutes into the cooking, add the carrots. Twenty minutes before you think it might be done, add the potatoes. When the potatoes are tender, you are done. Lightly salt and pepper and serve.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A little money, a little work, enough food!
If you have kindly (and hungry!) dorm mates, you could get this meal going fairly quickly. If you have lazy ones, you get the pleasure of eating a good meal while they scuttle off to find a dry sandwich.
You need:
About two cups of all-purpose flour
2-3 eggs
Extra flour
A rolling pin or resonable facsimile.
Waxed paper or foil to lay the end product out.
Dig out a mixing bowl of sorts and toss in the two cups of flour. Break in two of the eggs and mix until you have a workable dough. If the dough is too runny, add a bit more flour. If it is way too stiff, add the third egg.
Flour a surface generously. Most kitchens have a bread board but any flat, clean surface (NOT your computer desk!) will work. Take a small fistful of dough, dust in the flour and roll out sort of thin but not paper thin. Cut the dough into strips about 1/2 inch wide. Place on some waxed paper, one layer deep. Continue rolling and cutting the rest of the dough into strips.
You have just made homemade noodles. Yeah, they aren't perfect. They are thicker than the packaged kind but you did it for a lot less money and toned up your arm muscles, too.
Lots of options as to what to do with them now. An inexpensive can or jar of pasta sauce would go well over them. Just melted butter, salt, and pepper tastes good, too. You can get a can of chicken or beef broth and some frozen vegetables.
Anyway, while you are deciding on your finishing touches, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of oil to the boiling water. Gradually, add your homemade noodles and simmer them for about five to eight minutes. Drain, pour on or add your desired sauce/soup, and eat.
No, it won't be exactly like mom makes but it will taste a lot better than the reheated stuff in the cafeteria. You've impressed your roommates and can now probably get them to pitch in for some meat the next time you offer to cook a meal.
You need:
About two cups of all-purpose flour
2-3 eggs
Extra flour
A rolling pin or resonable facsimile.
Waxed paper or foil to lay the end product out.
Dig out a mixing bowl of sorts and toss in the two cups of flour. Break in two of the eggs and mix until you have a workable dough. If the dough is too runny, add a bit more flour. If it is way too stiff, add the third egg.
Flour a surface generously. Most kitchens have a bread board but any flat, clean surface (NOT your computer desk!) will work. Take a small fistful of dough, dust in the flour and roll out sort of thin but not paper thin. Cut the dough into strips about 1/2 inch wide. Place on some waxed paper, one layer deep. Continue rolling and cutting the rest of the dough into strips.
You have just made homemade noodles. Yeah, they aren't perfect. They are thicker than the packaged kind but you did it for a lot less money and toned up your arm muscles, too.
Lots of options as to what to do with them now. An inexpensive can or jar of pasta sauce would go well over them. Just melted butter, salt, and pepper tastes good, too. You can get a can of chicken or beef broth and some frozen vegetables.
Anyway, while you are deciding on your finishing touches, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of oil to the boiling water. Gradually, add your homemade noodles and simmer them for about five to eight minutes. Drain, pour on or add your desired sauce/soup, and eat.
No, it won't be exactly like mom makes but it will taste a lot better than the reheated stuff in the cafeteria. You've impressed your roommates and can now probably get them to pitch in for some meat the next time you offer to cook a meal.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dealing with a sweet craving on the cheap!
If I had any advice to give to a college student in charge of his/her own destiny . . . meaning, getting fed, a big box of Bisquick or a generic version would be on the have-to-have list. Aside from the great recipes listed conveniently on the box, you can fix yourself up a tasty sweet treat with a bit of effort and not too much expense.
Cinnamon Sugar Twists
About two cups of Bisquick, 1/4 cup sugar, and enough milk to form a workable dough you can roll out. (no rolling pin? Take the label off a can and use the side of the can!)
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
Dust a working surface with a bit of dry Bisquick and roll out the dough to about 1/2inch thick. Generously sprinkle the surface of the dough with the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Fold the dough over once, pat down a bit, sprinkle with mixture, fold over and repeat. Do this four or five times to form sugary layers in the dough. Roll out a final time, cut into one or two-inch strips, twist slightly, and place on a greased baking sheet. (Okay, no baking sheet, use foil and care in getting it in and out of the oven! Vegetable oil spray is good for 'greasing')
Bake for approximately ten minutes in a 375-degree oven or until golden brown. They make a good snack or something to gobble down with a glass of milk before heading out to class.
Cinnamon Sugar Twists
About two cups of Bisquick, 1/4 cup sugar, and enough milk to form a workable dough you can roll out. (no rolling pin? Take the label off a can and use the side of the can!)
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
Dust a working surface with a bit of dry Bisquick and roll out the dough to about 1/2inch thick. Generously sprinkle the surface of the dough with the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Fold the dough over once, pat down a bit, sprinkle with mixture, fold over and repeat. Do this four or five times to form sugary layers in the dough. Roll out a final time, cut into one or two-inch strips, twist slightly, and place on a greased baking sheet. (Okay, no baking sheet, use foil and care in getting it in and out of the oven! Vegetable oil spray is good for 'greasing')
Bake for approximately ten minutes in a 375-degree oven or until golden brown. They make a good snack or something to gobble down with a glass of milk before heading out to class.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Crumbs and ants . . .
Ants happen because they have no concept of space, especially if YOUR space includes some tasty, spilled stuff from late-night snacks. In a home, there is space so you can work around the critters while you plan their demise. In a dorm situation, space is limited and who wants to be cheek to jowl with an army of thousands?
Ant spray smells terrible and isn't that great for human breathing. It might chase you out before the ants get a sufficient whiff of it. According to the environmental types, Tea Tree Oil is supposed to do the trick. Ants don't like it. I obtained a bottle and it must work because I haven't had a single ant show up so I can try it! Anyway, you dilute a few drops in water in a clean spray bottle. You just spray and wipe. No toxins for humans and, supposedly, the ants will go to college in another dorm. Yes, it does have a smell but it isn't bad and easy to get used to. Hey, it's better than waking up to an ant invasion!
Ant spray smells terrible and isn't that great for human breathing. It might chase you out before the ants get a sufficient whiff of it. According to the environmental types, Tea Tree Oil is supposed to do the trick. Ants don't like it. I obtained a bottle and it must work because I haven't had a single ant show up so I can try it! Anyway, you dilute a few drops in water in a clean spray bottle. You just spray and wipe. No toxins for humans and, supposedly, the ants will go to college in another dorm. Yes, it does have a smell but it isn't bad and easy to get used to. Hey, it's better than waking up to an ant invasion!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Cafeteria Food or Life?
Although cafeteria food has much improved over the years, either finances or boredom often sends college students in search of more tasty meals. My one, college daughter claims that pizza is about the only 'healthy' item on her college's cafeteria list and she often eats to survive not to enjoy. She has asked me to post ideas and easy recipes as I think of them to help her through the coming school year and eat better.
Most dorms allow the students access to a kitchen area so fixing your own meals isn't quite the chore it might have been back in the olden days. From what I understand, the main problem is food theft from the communal fridge or cupboard. With that thought in mind, you might consider buying perishables on an as-needed basis and have a large, sealable container in your dorm to store dry goods. Why put temptation out there for the morally lax?!
An easy and fun way to test out your cooking skills would be with pancakes. This you could do on a Saturday morning and have a hot breakfast you won't have to wait in line to eat. It will be hot, too! In fact, if you can find a couple of other hungry friends, you can split the cost of the ingredients.
The all-purpose bisquit mix could be a staple in your culinary closet. With this box of stuff (generic or Bisquick), you can not only make pancakes, but bisquits, meat pies, dumplings, etc. Pick up a box at the market and check out the variety of food stuffs you can produce with this basic ingredient. The recipes are all on the box. Google for more recipes as you can accomplish cookies and coffee cakes, too.
Pancake syrup too expensive? Get a box of brown sugar. Put about a quarter cup of the brown sugar in a cup, slowly add drops of very hot water until it melts and forms a thickish liquid. Not exactly syrup but pretty good if you are hungry!
As you begin to cook your way through the semester, things get cheaper as you slowly accumulate ingredients that will last through several recipes. Just make sure you splurge on bags and containers that can be sealed. Ants happen even on dorm rooms/apartments on second or third floors!
Most dorms allow the students access to a kitchen area so fixing your own meals isn't quite the chore it might have been back in the olden days. From what I understand, the main problem is food theft from the communal fridge or cupboard. With that thought in mind, you might consider buying perishables on an as-needed basis and have a large, sealable container in your dorm to store dry goods. Why put temptation out there for the morally lax?!
An easy and fun way to test out your cooking skills would be with pancakes. This you could do on a Saturday morning and have a hot breakfast you won't have to wait in line to eat. It will be hot, too! In fact, if you can find a couple of other hungry friends, you can split the cost of the ingredients.
The all-purpose bisquit mix could be a staple in your culinary closet. With this box of stuff (generic or Bisquick), you can not only make pancakes, but bisquits, meat pies, dumplings, etc. Pick up a box at the market and check out the variety of food stuffs you can produce with this basic ingredient. The recipes are all on the box. Google for more recipes as you can accomplish cookies and coffee cakes, too.
Pancake syrup too expensive? Get a box of brown sugar. Put about a quarter cup of the brown sugar in a cup, slowly add drops of very hot water until it melts and forms a thickish liquid. Not exactly syrup but pretty good if you are hungry!
As you begin to cook your way through the semester, things get cheaper as you slowly accumulate ingredients that will last through several recipes. Just make sure you splurge on bags and containers that can be sealed. Ants happen even on dorm rooms/apartments on second or third floors!
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