Cooking is one of those tasks you’ll slowly learn to improve as you progress through your college years. Even if you have some recipes up your sleeve already, if you’re living in the dorms, communal kitchens may discourage you from truly cooking too often. If you’re having one of those days in which you just want to make something quick and not leave your room, grab a mug and fire up the trusty microwave. Here are a few treats you can make quickly and easily with those two items — and that are mindful of some dietary restrictions.
Mug omelet
Sometimes you won’t feel like dragging all your kitchen utensils and ingredients into the communal kitchen area in the dorm hall just to make a meal. For this wholesome breakfast, you won’t need to. You can stay in your dorm and have fun experimenting with new combinations of mix-ins for a tasty morning meal.
Servings: Makes 1 mug omelet
2 eggs
1 spoonful of milk (I used a dairy-free substitute) or water
Omelet mix-ins of your choice
Grease mug. In the mug, beat eggs well. Add milk or water and beat again. Add in toppings (I used cheese, spinach, tomatoes and ham) and heat for 1–2 minutes in the microwave, until eggs are cooked through. Let cool for a couple minutes.
(Adapted from The Country Cook)
Gluten-free pumpkin chocolate chip mug cake
It’s perfect for when you need a bit of sweetness to top off your meal or when you want a dessert at night. This pumpkin chocolate chip mug cake is just the right level of sweet and doesn’t take too much time to make. Add more honey or chocolate chips if you have more of a sweet tooth.
Servings: Makes 1 mug cake
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate chips (just until you feel the batter-to-chip ratio is just right for your taste)*
In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well until combined. Add chocolate chips and pour into mug. Microwave for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Let sit for a couple minutes and top with additional chocolate chips.
*Make dairy free with dairy-free chocolate chips
(Adapted from leelalicious)
Vegan hot chocolate
Just because it isn’t made with whole milk doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious. Take a break from dairy and try this super-simple coconut milk hot cocoa. It's perfect if your roommate keeps the temperature at freezing temperatures or if you’re like me and just love drinking hot chocolate all year-round.
Servings: Makes one 8 oz mug
8 oz unsweetened coconut milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 tablespoons dairy-free chocolate chips
1 spoonful coconut sugar (or sweeten to taste with desired sweetener)
Heat milk for 1 minute. Add cocoa powder, chocolate chips and sweetener and mix well to combine. Heat more to help dissolve if needed.
(Adapted from Minimalist Baker)
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