I chose these recipes because they aren’t too hard and don’t require a ton of time to make. I think any kind of pasta is perfect for college students like myself who don’t have a lot of time to cook and need to make something quick. I also like eating desserts and banana bread was one of the first things I made when I tried baking.

Spaghetti:

http://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Spaghetti-and-Meat-Sauce-3983.html

Cheesecake:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-cheesecake-recipe2.html

Banana Bread:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/20144/banana-banana-bread/

*Teriyaki Chicken*

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 1½ medium or 1 large oranges)
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1½ to 2 lbs (about 6-7 medium) boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat
• 1 Tbsp oil (I use light olive oil)
• 1½ Tbsp unsalted butter
• Green onion and sesame seeds for garnish, optional

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients: ¼ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup orange juice, 3 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp ginger and 1 tsp sesame oil.
2. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and place into marinade. Stir and cover with plastic wrap and marinate on the counter 20 min.
3. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Remove chicken from marinade with a slotted spoon, reserving marinade in the bowl. Add chicken to the hot pan and sauté, stirring occasionally until golden and cooked through (5 min).
4. Remove pan from heat and transfer chicken to a bowl.
5. Pour reserved marinade into the pan, add 1½ Tbsp butter and place back over medium/high heat. Bring to a boil stirring constantly until slightly thickened (1 min) then remove from heat. Add chicken back to the pan and stir to combine. Serve over hot buttery white rice garnished with fresh green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.

*Mozzarella Sticks*

Ingredients: 

• 8 ounces  mozzarella cheese
• 1⁄2cup  all-purpose flour
• 1 large  egg
• 1⁄2cup seasoned dry bread crumb

Instructions:

1. Cut the cheese into 8 3 1/2/x 1/2×1/2″ sticks.
2. Put flour into shallow dish and dredge the mozzarella sticks lightly in flour, shaking off the excess.
3. One by one, dip in the beaten egg, coating completely, and then roll in bread crumbs to coat.
4. Put the sticks on a plate and freeze for 15 minutes.
5. Heat a deep fryer or heavy pot to 365 in 3 inches of oil.
6. Fry the mozzarella sticks in 2 batches until golden brown, about 1 minute.
7. Drain on paper towels and serve with hot marinara sauce.

*Chocolate Milkshake*

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup chocolate-flavored syrup
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3 scoops (1/2 cup each) vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

    1. In blender, place milk and syrup. Cover and blend on high speed 2 seconds.

    2. Add ice cream. Cover and blend on low speed about 5 seconds or until smooth. Pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/southern-tea-cakes-recipe2.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/strawberry-shortcake-recipe3.html

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/19900/mississippi-mud-brownies/

 

I am a huge dessert person! I picked these three recipes because they are some of my favorite desserts that I have tried over the years. I love brownies with personality, they tend to all be the same; however these stand out. Tea cakes and strawberry shortcake are childhood favorites.

I chose these three recipes because they all require minimal effort and are perfect for someone who isn’t necessarily a pro in the kitchen. I am a dessert fanatic and slutty brownies are something that I have baked since I was young. The Doritos nachos is just a simple, fun snack that my friends from high school randomly put together one day and it is something that I have been making ever since.

• Slutty Brownie
  • Ingredients
    • 1 pound chocolate chip cookie dough
    • 16 oreo cookies
    • 1 box brownie mix
  • Directions
    • Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease a 9×9-inch pan with cooking spray.
    • Spread cookie dough in an even layer on the bottom. Top with Oreos in an even layer.
    • Mix brownie batter according to package instructions; spread on top.
    • Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes before cutting into 16 even squares.

• Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan Cheese
  • Ingredients
    • 1 medium spaghetti squash
    • 1/2 grated parmesan
    • 1/2 stick butter
    • salt and pepper
  • Directions
    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
    • Use a paring knife to prick squash all over
    • Place in a baking dish and bake 1 hour or until soft
    • Cut squash in half
    • Scoop out and discard seeds
    • Using a fork, scrape flesh in strings into a serving bowl
    • Toss with Parmesan and butter and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Doritos Nachos
  • Ingredients
    • One bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos
    • Shredded cheddar cheese
    • Tabasco
    • Sour cream
  • Directions
    • Spread out chips evenly on a large plate
    • Cover the chips in the cheese (the more the better)
    • Cook in the microwave until the cheese is sufficiently melted
    • Lastly, cover the nachos with tabasco depending on how spicy you look your food

 

 

I chose these recipes because they are all easy to make and delicious. I always make banana bread at home when we have brown bananas and the other two are also fun to make, although I don’t have as much experience with them.

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1-teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter

¾ cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 large brown bananas

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 250 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf plan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs, mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack.

Puppy Chow

Ingredients:

9 cups crispy rice cereal squares

½ cup peanut butter

1-cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1½ cups confectioner’s sugar

Directions:

1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate; add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
2. Remove from heat, add cereal, and stir until coated.
3. Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal, and shake until well coated. Store in airtight container.

Banana Pudding

Ingredients:

1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups cold milk

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1-tablespoon vanilla extract

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (16 ounce) package vanilla wafers

14 bananas, sliced

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes.
2. Blend in condensed milk until smooth.
3. Stir in vanilla and fold in whipped topping.
4. Layer wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture in a glass-serving bowl.
5. Chill until served.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pasta-and-lamb-casserole-em-pastitsio-em-350934

http://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-lamb-souvlaki-recipe-skewers-with-pita-bread/

https://www.cooklikegreeks.com/en/recipes/old-fashioned-sokolatina.html
I chose the above recipes for Pastitsio, Lamb Souvlaki, and Sokolatina respectively.  As a Dallas native, I grew up in an area with many great Greek restaurants, where I developed an obsession with the cuisine.  In Austin, I have yet to find a great place to eat Greek, so I hope that by trying these recipes I will be able to emulate my favorite dishes myself.

I chose the following three recipes because they are very important to me.  The first two are the most common meals I cook because they are easy and very cheap to make.  As you can see, the noodles even have a price per unit listing on the recipe.  The last recipe I chose because it is the best dessert that my mom makes and every time she makes them I already can’t wait until the next time.  It’s amazing and definitely worth the effort (if only I was good at baking).

Dragon Noodles

• 4 oz. lo mein noodles $1.13
• 2 Tbsp butter $0.20
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper $0.02
• 1 large egg $0.25
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar $0.02
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.02
• 1 Tbsp sriracha (rooster sauce) $0.08
• 1 handful fresh cilantro $0.22
• 1 sliced green onion $0.06

1. Begin to boil water for the noodles. Once the water reaches a full boil, add the noodles and cook according to the package directions (boil for 5-7 minutes).
2. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl stir together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and sriracha.
3. In a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the red pepper to the butter as it melts. Whisk an egg in a bowl and then add to the melted butter. Stir gently and cook through. Once the egg is done cooking, turn off the heat.
4. When the noodles are tender, drain the water and then add them to the skillet with the cooked egg. Also add the prepared sauce. Turn the heat on to low to evaporate excess moisture, and stir until everything is coated well with the sauce. Sprinkle the sliced green onions and cilantro leaves (whole) on top and serve!

Mango Tilapia:

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• Simply Orange Orange Juice Calcium, Pulp Free
• salt and pepper to taste
• crushed red pepper flakes to taste
• Salsa:
• 1 mango – peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced

• 3 roma tomatoes – peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C.)
2. In a shallow baking dish, combine the olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Rinse the fish fillets and pat them dry. Place them into the baking dish and turn to coat with the seasonings.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until fish can be flaked with a fork.
4. While the fish cooks, combine the mango, onion, avocado, tomatoes, lime zest and juice, jalapeno, ginger, cilantro and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a glass bowl. Stir to blend and set aside at room temperature until fish has finished cooking. Place fillets on a platter and spoon the salsa over them to serve.

Chocolate Cake Mix Bars

• 1 chocolate cake mix
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter- softened to room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

 

I chose these 3 recipes because they are simple enough to make even for someone who is not an expert chef. They are also relatively healthy, and use common ingredients that most people have. I have made these recipes multiple times and have always been satisfied with them.

1. Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 3

3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Salt, to taste
1 cup mozzarella
2 cups flour
6 eggs, beaten
2 cups bread crumbs
1 cup oil, for frying
3 cups tomato sauce
½ cup parmesan
2 tablespoons basil

PREPARATION

1. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast.
   2. Stuff the pockets evenly with the mozzarella cheese.
   3. Press the edges of the chicken together to seal the pocket.
   4. Separate the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into 3 separate bowls.
   5. Being careful to keep the chicken from opening, dip the stuffed chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess.
   6. Dip the floured chicken into the egg, then the bread crumbs, coating it evenly.
   7. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Preheat oven to 180°C.
   8 .Fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides.
   9. Place ⅔ of the tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the chicken on top.
   10.Top with the rest of the tomato sauce, then sprinkle the parmesan and basil on top.
   11. Bake for 20 minutes.
   12. Serve!

 

2. Grilled Citrus Salmon and Asparagus

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 3

3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Salt, to taste
1 cup mozzarella
2 cups flour
6 eggs, beaten
2 cups bread crumbs
1 cup oil, for frying
3 cups tomato sauce
½ cup parmesan
2 tablespoons basil

PREPARATION

1. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast.
   2. Stuff the pockets evenly with the mozzarella cheese.
   3. Press the edges of the chicken together to seal the pocket.
   4. Separate the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into 3 separate bowls.
   5. Being careful to keep the chicken from opening, dip the stuffed chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess.
   6. Dip the floured chicken into the egg, then the bread crumbs, coating it evenly.
   7. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Preheat oven to 180°C.
   8 .Fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides.
   9. Place ⅔ of the tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the chicken on top.
   10.Top with the rest of the tomato sauce, then sprinkle the parmesan and basil on top.
   11. Bake for 20 minutes.
   12. Serve!

3. Chicken Spinach Alfredo

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 3-4
2 tablespoons oil
2 chicken breasts, sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 strips cooked bacon, chopped
5 ounces spinach
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper
2 cups heavy cream
250 grams cooked rotini pasta
1 cup parmesan cheese
½ cup parsley, chopped

PREPARATION
1. Heat oil in a large pot over high heat.
2. Cook the chicken until no pink is showing.
3. Add the garlic, bacon, spinach, salt, and pepper, cooking until spinach is wilted.
4. Pour in the cream and bring to a boil.
5. Add the pasta, cheese, and parsley, stirring until the pasta is coated evenly.
6. Enjoy!