Three low-budget options when you need a break from Burwell 

In dorm rooms, it’s pretty difficult to make yourself a tasty meal when the only kitchenware allowed are microwaves, refrigerators and kettles. With Burwell renovations pushed back a year (to fall 2020), it may be a while before students can get an on-campus dining upgrade, so learning to prepare a full meal in your room can be very helpful. Here are three recipes that are tasty, budget-friendly and easy to make in a microwave. 

1)    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos 

Rotisserie chickens are a great staple for your grocery list; not only are they relatively cheap (around $5), but each one has enough meat for several meals that can be saved for future use in the refrigerator or freezer. Since cooking chicken in the microwave is time-consuming and difficult to do properly, picking up a rotisserie chicken to eat on a night in is a must. Here is our recipe below: 

What you’ll need: 

• 1 cup of chicken, shredded or cut into smaller pieces; to get this, you’ll need one traditional rotisserie chicken 
• 2 tsp seasoning mix 
• shredded lettuce, packaged 
• shredded Mexican cheese, packaged 
• 1 lime, in fourths 
• salsa/queso/guacamole, to taste 
• 1 tortilla shell; pick up a pack of 8 (or more, if you know you’ll eat more) 
• 1 cooking knife 
• 1 fork 
• 1 microwave-safe bowl 
• 1 food storage container 

How to make it: 

1)    Pull the meat from the bones of the rotisserie chicken, making sure to pull the skin off of the meat as well. You can use a cooking knife and fork to pull the meat away, but it may be easier to use your hands depending on how tender the chicken is. 

2)    Either shred the chicken using your fork, or pull it into smaller pieces that you can store easily. Place your chicken into a food storage container, so you can save what’s left over for another meal.  

3)    Take 1 cup of chicken, or enough for one taco, and put it in a microwave-safe bowl (it can be paper, but never styrofoam or metal). Add 1/2 tablespoon of water to the bowl, and then shake 1-2 teaspoons of taco seasoning over the chicken. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the seasoning onto the chicken. For now, put the chicken aside. 

4)    Wash your lime with cool water, then cut it into wedges. For the perfect wedge, cut it into fourths, lengthwise from end to end. Cut each fourth in half horizontally—so that it is triangular in shape.  

5)    Open your packages of shredded lettuce, cheese and your choice of condiment.  

6)    Place the bowl of seasoned chicken in the microwave and cover the bowl with a paper towel. Warm it up for about 20 seconds. 

7)    If you want, you can warm up your shell as well for about 8 seconds in the microwave.  

8)   Place the chicken on your tortilla and add toppings.  

2) Scrambled Eggs and Bacon 

Eggs are a great source of protein for breakfast, and what bacon lacks in health it makes up in flavor. Using a coffee mug and a paper plate, you can cook scrambled eggs and bacon in less than 10 minutes. Here’s how: 

What you’ll need: 

• 1 raw egg 
• 1 tbsp water 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• 3 slices of precooked bacon, more if desired  
• 2 forks 
• 1 coffee mug 
• 1 glass plate 
• 4 paper towels 

How to make it: 

1)    Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling uncooked bacon and eggs.  

2)    Place 2 paper towels on a microwave-safe glass plate, and add 3 slices of bacon on the plate. Cover the bacon with two additional paper towels. 

3)    For 3 slices of bacon, cook on high for 3 minutes; after 3 minutes, you can continue cooking it to make it as crispy as you want.  

4)    After cooking the bacon, there will be leftover grease. Make sure that you dispose of bacon grease in the trashcan and not in the sink.  

5)    Pull out an egg and a mug. Crack your egg into the mug, then add 1 tablespoon of water. 

6)    Use a fork to whisk the egg and water, making sure that the yolk is broken up and there are plenty of air bubbles, which will make your egg light and fluffy. Dispose of or wash the fork immediately. 

7)    Cook for 1 minute on high. If you want to make a second scrambled egg, do it in a separate mug because 2 eggs will be too large for one mug.  

8)   With a second fork, scramble the egg. Add salt and pepper to taste.  

9)    You can eat it out of the mug, or put it on a plate with your bacon for a breakfast spread.  

3) Pasta 

Carbs are everyone’s favorite food group. With a glass measuring cup and a microwave, you can make them yourself for a pick-me-up lunch in between classes; don’t forget to add a salad or some steamed vegetables on the side for nutrients.  

What you’ll need: 

• 1 box of pot-size spaghetti noodles 
• 1 jar of spaghetti sauce, can be any sauce you like 
• 1/2 tablespoon of salt 
• 1 fork 
• one 4-cup glass measuring cup 
• 1 colander, or if you don’t have one, a bowl and a plate 
• Any side salads or bags of steam-in-the-microwave vegetables 

How to make it: 

1)    Fill up your measuring cup with 3 1/2 cups of water. 

2)    Microwave for around 10 minutes or until water begins to boil. Make sure to keep an eye on the water, because it may boil over if the microwave’s wattage is too high. I recommend turning the power level down on your microwave; in a 900 watt microwave, turning the power down to level seven keeps the water boiling but not quickly enough to spill out.  

3)    Once the water is boiling, quickly add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to the water and stir it in until it dissolves. Be aware that the glass will be hot, so make sure that if you have to pick up the measuring cup, you wrap some paper towels around the handle to protect your hands.  

4)    Add desired amount of spaghetti noodles to the measuring cup.  

5)    Place the measuring cup back into the microwave and continue to boil the water for approximately 15 minutes, or until the noodles are at your desired softness. Make sure to handle the glass measuring cup with care because it will be very hot. Don’t forget to turn the power down again so that the water doesn’t boil over.  

6)    If you have a colander, place it in your sink. Carefully pour out the spaghetti and water into the colander and let it drain. If you do not have a colander, slowly pour out as much water as you can, making sure that the noodles do not fall out. Once most of the water has been drained, use a fork to scoop the noodles into a bowl. Place a plate on top of the bowl, leaving a small opening at one side where water can drain out. Hold the bowl and plate at an angle over the sink to allow any excess water to flow out of the opening.  

7)    Place spaghetti on a plate and mix in desired sauce to taste. 

8)   Prepare any side dishes you want, and enjoy!