Easy cooking ideas?? Struggling hungry student?

Question

I have no kitchen access where I am staying and need to find some economical ways of eating something. Im tired of eating out because that just leaves a bigger hole in my pocket.

So any meal ideas that involve no cooking or maybe at least microwaving would be appreciated. This is cooking for 2 people. Thank you all very much.

And also I have no fridge for storage. Any ides for food that does not to be refrigerated?

Answer 1

You might want to invest in a crockpot, it's the easiest way to cook! They come in all different sizes and are usually less than $25, and though that's a bit of money to someone struggling, it's well worth the money, i've had one for years and use it at least once or more a week.
If you need more crockpot ideas or recipes, email me!

Ideas
Pinto Beans
Take 1 bag of pinto beans, sort for rocks and bad beans (discolored, broken, etc.) Depending on size of crockpot, place beans in crockpot with enough water to cover, leaving about 2 inches away from top of crock. Let cook all day on low, careful to watch for boil-overs! Stir occassionally.


Even doing shopping for a few items can work, like buying a roast and placing it in the crockpot on low. You can buy it the night before, place it in the crockpot with about a cup on low (or warm) and allow it to cook overnight and all day, it will be very tender. Throw in some potatoes and onions and spices and have a great meal when you are ready.

One of my favorite meals is to take a package of kielbalsa or Italian sausage, place it in the slowcooker with a package of scalloped potatoes. However, instead of milk, which may separate in the crockpot, I use nondairy creamer to prepare the potatoes. Cook on low and it should be ready within a couple of hours, sometimes up to 3 and a half.


Other ideas for cheap and easy foods are:
ramen noodles
macaroni and cheese
Hamburger Helper's microwave meals
Canned beef stew
canned soup

Answer 2

No fridge, no stove? Well a George Foreman grill wouldn't work since you wouldn't able to store the food, unless you cooked it and ate it all as soon as you brought it home from the store. Looks like Ramen is the way to go--it really is the most economical option. Look through the aisles in the grocery store; they have ethnic dishes you can prepare in the microwave that don't need refrigeration, I think one brand is A Taste of Asia or something like that; they have pad thai and other types of Asian dishes. Canned foods can be your friend; you can add some canned veggies to your Ramen. Also look for tuna and salmon in the pouches; the smoked salmon variety is great with cream cheese and bagels, and you can also do a lot with tuna--look on the packages for suggestions. Anything you can find in the grocery store like this will help you out--it may not be cooking exactly, but it will still be cheaper than eating out all the time.

Answer 3

Goldfish crackers are expensive and have trans fat. Not a healthy choice. Soda biscuits, salted or unsalted will take you farther and are more easily digested. If you are really poor, inquire about a student grant. Most schools have them, you just have to apply to the one that suites your needs. I know there are easy recipes galore on various web sites. That way you could choose what you liked, rather than be bombarded with someone else's ideas. Do you have a budget? Knowing how much you can spend on groceries and planning meals will actually stretch your grocery budget. Perhaps there is a food bank in your neighbourhood. See if you qualify. One person doesn't get much, but it would help with canned goods. Try stir-frys with any sliced portion of meat and vegetables. Pasta sells cheap and is easy to make. Check out produce and canned goods that have been price reduced - I check it out everytime I go for groceries. Vegetables like tomatoes and peppers would help make a sauce for some of that cheap pasta. Other vegetables could make you a soup or stew. Usually there is a place where baked goods are marked down. Put a loaf of bread in the freezer to help keep it day-old fresh. If you are not on a diet, there are usually bagels and muffins on sale too. Keep your chin up and think positive - and good luck.

Answer 4

Get yourself a George Formon grill, that will give you a lot of good college cooking options. You could grill burgers, chicken, vegtables, sandwiches, ect... Also, there are plenty of pasta and rice boxes/kits that you can make in the microwave. If you have access to an outdoor grill then your really in business.

Answer 5

Top Ramen is the food of the God's for a college student! It costs about $.34 a pack;
1. You can boil it in water and make soup (totally microwavable!),
2. You can crumble it dry, add salt and salsa and eat it like popcorn,
3. You can crumble it on lettuce and add dressing for a filling salad,
4. You can add water, boil, drain and add your favorite pasta sauce,
5. You can put in a bowl with a little water, spam and the flavoring pouch, micro it and get yourself a meaty pasta things ...

Oh, I could go on, and on, and on ... I lived all four years in college on Top Ramen, spam and salsa ... Ahh, what memories ... =)

Answer 6

i'm a college student i say buy stuff to make salads with tyson or perdue chicken pieces to throw in cheese veges etc. how about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cereal like quaker oatmeal bars to go or fruit bars or gronala bars or cheerios or corn flakes or get an microwave make frozen meals like lean cuisine chef boyarde mac and cheese pizza by digorno french fries oven cooked hot dogs

Answer 7

buy a small crockpot and put in meat and veggies in it in the monring before classes and then by the time you come home in the evening it will be done if there is 2 people eating there should be no left overs and theny ou dont have to worry about wasting food

Answer 8

Go to the grocery store, they have all kinds of microwave meals. Look in the frozen food section.

Answer 9

you can microwave everything nowadays so you should get a book on all microwave recipes its got good stuff in it like "sheppards pie its taco meat mashed potatoes cheese and corn it sounds aweful but very good! cheap ideas keep em in mind to stretch the dollar.

Answer 10

Ramen Noodles mixed with raw egg and water. shake it up, microwave, Eggdrop noodle soup ;)