As a student, we can’t always rely on takeaways and ready meals to keep us going. It gets expensive, but it is incredibly unhealthy as well, and whilst I may not be the most creative in cooking myself, there are a few meals I have enjoyed making for myself that are both easy and extremely delicious, and have become a part of my routine dinner.
My favourite meal to make is actually an English breakfast, mostly because it is quick and easy to do as well as extremely filling. All of the ingredients are at your disposal and pretty cheap to buy, so if I am at a loss for what to eat, this is usually the sort of dinner I go for. It never gets old, and who doesn’t love a little bit of all day breakfast in the evening?
Another one of my more recent meals I enjoy making is sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice, and when I really feel like it, I add crispy bacon as well. I have found that rice is great because it goes with practically everything, but with chicken and bacon it is truly mouth-watering, and not that hard to make either. It takes a little more preparation time than an English breakfast does, as you need to marinade the chicken in sauce, but your efforts are not wasted – this is a really delicious dinner, and far healthier than a takeaway, I am sure!
I have actually made chicken chow Mein before as well, mostly because I did crave a takeaway, but did not have the money to spare! Like most of the meals I make for myself, it is not that hard to cook, and it did not take a lot of time to prep either – I like things that are simple to make, mostly because I am impatient, and though us students have access to services that can make the food for us, it was nice to try and make it for myself, and it doesn’t take that much time either, I have found! So the next time you crave a Chinese, why not have a go at making it yourself? Noodles, chicken chunks, vegetables and some sauce… pop it all in a pan, and you have dinner!
Lately, I have been into making meals with my flatmates as well; I have helped one flatmate make her specialty, which happens meatballs, cheese and spaghetti or pasta, and it has become one of my favourite meals to eat with her. I had never tried it before now, but it is very easy to do, and not very costly either – we all have pasta and cheese, so just get some mince and cook it all together.
There are also meals that I have yet to make, but aim to try and cook really soon, namely hamburgers, wraps and homemade lasagne. I like a McDonald’s as much as everyone else, but I have always wanted to make my own burgers, possibly a breakfast burger if I am really famished, as well as have a go at homemade pizza! I have not really made much in terms of my own meals, but since coming to university I have opened up my meal plan beyond takeaway and microwave dinners, and have found that is far more satisfying than I had anticipated!
As long as you have the time, ingredients and an idea for what you want to eat, have a go at making your own dinner instead of relying on someone else, a sandwich or a service to fill you up. It will be worth your while, I promise.
