Sometimes, the thought of eating every meal in the cafeteria makes us all want to drop out, not to mention that community kitchens can be grimy. Inspired by one chef’s recent attempt at creating a gourmet menu based on Radiohead’s acclaimed album Kid A, we’ve put together some simple recipes that can be made right in your dorm room to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Kanye West’s debut album, The College Dropout. Thank Yeezus.
“Spaceship” Pizza
This healthy, easy-to-make pizza is the perfect late night snack after working the graveyard shift. No need to spend money on frozen processed pizza bites or wait for a greasy delivery.
Ingredients:
- 2 whole wheat English muffins
- ½ a cup of tomato sauce
- ⅔ of a cup of shredded cheese
- 1 small bag of pepperoni slices (optional). Feel free to use any meats or veggies you have handy as toppings.
Instructions:
- If you have a toaster handy, lightly toast the English muffins. If not, no problem. Skip to the next step.
- Spread sauce on to the muffins with a spoon.
- Cover with cheese and add toppings.
- Microwave for 2 minutes.
Tip: A great place to snag toppings is the salad bar in the caf.
You can find the recipe at: hercampus.com
“Jesus Walks” Western Omelet
No need to stand in the never-ending cafeteria omelet line. Give Tony a break and make breakfast right in your room.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsps sour cream (No sour cream? No worries. Milk or cream cheese will work just fine.)
- 2 tbs shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 spoonful chopped green peppers*
- 1 spoonful chopped red peppers*
- Salt and pepper to taste (here’s a way to use the spare spice packets from the caf utensil packs)
*If you have no peppers on hand or simply don’t feel like chopping, a few spoonfuls of Pico de 6Gallo or fresh salsa can be substituted.
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a mug or a microwave-safe bowl (or spray with cooking spray).
- Add the eggs, sour cream, cheese and peppers, then mix together.
- Microwave on high for 45 seconds. If eggs do not appear cooked, stir and cook in 30-second increments until they appear done. Sprinkle cheese and pepper to finish.
Tip: If you know you won’t feel like mixing and measuring in the morning, try preparing the ingredients in a mug the night before and keeping them in the fridge. Be sure to cover with saran wrap at night and stir in the morning.
You can find the recipe at: tipsaholic.com
“We Don’t Care” Cake-in-a-Cup
In this song, West raps, “We gonna keep bakin’ to the day we get cake.” With this easy recipe, today can be that day, and you’ll have enough ingredients for many more.
Ingredients:
- 1 box angel food cake mix
- 1 box of any other cake mix flavor (should be the same brand as the angel food cake mix).
- Water
- 1 jar of any flavored frosting (optional)
- Chopped strawberries (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix both boxes of cake mix in a large Tupperware, zip lock bag or any other handy container. Keep this sealed up tight, and you’ll be making cake in a mug all semester long!
- Add 1/3 of a cup of mix to a mug.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons of water.
- Microwave for 30 seconds when using a tall mug. For a wider mug, microwave for 60 seconds.
- Let cool for about 1 minute and top with frosting and/or strawberries.
You can find the recipe at: industriousjustice.com
“Family Business” French toast
You might not be home to have your mom make you French toast anymore, but you can still enjoy it right from your dorm room. Cook this up while you look back on all your family business.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread (any type of bread that you have laying around will do, even if it’s stale).
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 egg
- 3 tbs milk
- Cinnamon (to taste)
- 1 drop vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
- Tear the bread apart or cut it into cubes, whatever it takes to get it into the mug.
- Melt the butter in a mug and add bread cubes.
- In a separate, bowl mix the egg, milk, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Pour the mixture onto the bread cubes and press it down with a fork.
- Microwave for 1 minute. If it doesn’t appear done, keep microwaving in 10-second increments.
- Top with maple syrup and enjoy for the family that can’t be with you.
You can find the recipe at: prudentbaby.com
“The New Workout Plan”-cakes
Be sure to pop this in the microwave before you pop in the Kanye West “Get Right for the Summer” workout tape. This recipe may not get you a rapper or an NBA player, but soon all you’ll really need in your life is maple syrup.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp butter
- 4 tbs flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 2 tbs milk
- 1 tbs oil
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tbs maple syrup
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a mug or spray with cooking spray.
- Combine ingredients in a separate bowl and mix.
- Pour the mixture in the greased mug and microwave for 90 seconds.
- Top with butter, maple syrup, fruit or any other topping of your choice.
You can find the recipe at: stageinlyon.blogspot.com
“All Falls Down” Fudge
Ingredients:
- 12 Oreos (crushed into small pieces)
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 can condensed milk
Instructions:
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper (greased tin foil can be substituted). Baking pans can be rented from most RA desks in buildings with community kitchens.
- Mix the chocolate and condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave for 30 seconds and stir until chocolate is melted. Repeat this until chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
- Spread half the crushed Oreos on the parchment paper pan and pour the chocolate on top.
- Sprinkle the other half of the Oreos on top of the chocolate and press them down into the fudge.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and cut into squares.
You can find the recipe at: chefrecip.es
Selene SanFelice can be reached at selene.sanfelice@spartans.ut.edu