College kid plz help?!


Question: College kid plz help!?
Okay!. I'm a college student on a tight budget and I need some food shopping advise/recipes!. What can I make that is quick and easy and somewhat healthy!. I don't want to live off of Easy Mac all of my life and I want to learn to cook!. I have a small apartment with a microwave, stove, sink etc!. I need to know what things to shop for (food is so expensive!) and how to make the most out of my money!. Can anyone help me with this!?Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Ok, before I start talking about meals, here are a few quick inexpensive fixes:
Bagels (they're cheap!. you can get a generic bad of bagels for only 99 cents)!. I mean you can do a lot with them!. You can eat them with cream cheese or jelly or butter, you can toast or microwave them, you can put eggs/omelets on them, and create your own breakfast sandwhich!. You can even buy a box of sausage patties (for a dollar-the brand is Banquet Brown & serve) and make a sandwich with the bagel from that!.
Canned stuff! You can get baked beans usually on sale, either 3 for 99 cents or 2 for 3 dollars!.!. depending which brand!. You can get canned spam 2 for 4 dollars!. With spam, you can eat it on toast or bread with ketchup, fry it and have it with eggs and hasbrowns, and what not!. also, canned raviolis and spaghettios, they're like a dollar a piece and even though some consider it childish, if you're on a budget!.!. it is helpful!. And, generic brand canned fruit is only a dollar!.
Right now the cheapest meat on the market is Chicken!.!. so if you buy plenty of it there's many different things you can make!. You can buy a box of Chicken Helper, they have various different meal-types!. You can also do grilled or fried chicken, chicken fettucine alfredo, etc!.
You can buy Steak-UMM microwavable burgers for about 7 bucks!. They're definitely worth the price and if not, you can get a generic brand for cheaper!.!. also hamburger rolls are pretty cheap!.!. generic brand is usually only a dollar!.
I like to buy plenty of ground beef because it is versatile!. I can do hamburger helper, make my own burgers, make meatballs for meatball sandwiches or meatballs and spaghetti, and I even do beef, with gravy and elbow noodles!.!. it's simple and cheap!.!. you can buy elbow macaroni for 99 cents a box and Hunts beef gravy is usually only a dollar!.
You can get Low-Fat Yogurt (La Yogurt is the brand), 10 of them for only 5 dollars!.!.
Minute-Maid Fruit Punches or Lemonades are always a dollar at the local supermarket around here, which is PathMark!.
You can get Ball Park Beef Franks for $1!.99 and all you have to do is boil them!.!. and of course, hot dog rolls are only a dollar if you get the generic brand as well!.
Banquet Meals, which are basically TV dinners, are only a dollar!. Sure, they're not gonna satisfy you if you eat them all the time, but for a quick meal in a hurry, they're quite good!. They have various kinds like chicken nuggets with fries and corn, salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and corn, and more!.
I like to buy On-Cor Traditional Entrees!. They have Salisubry Steak, Turkey Slices in Gravy, Meatballs and Pasta, and they serve about 5!.!. so if you have any leftovers you can either heat up the next day, or freeze them for another week!.
If you want something on the sweet side, you can get Ice-Cream sandwiches for about $1!.99, the brand is called America's Choice!.
I like to get a tropical mango (they're usually only 99 cents) because that's my favorite fruit!.
I also like to get a 6-8 qt can of Kool-Aid, which is usually about $1!.89!.
If you like just about any fruit, go for whichever is on sale!.
also, stock up on Jell-o and pudding, they're cheap snacks!
If I want chips or cheese-doodles, I get the generic brand mostly all the time, unless name-brand is on sale!.
You should also get peanut butter and jelly!.!.!. and always have bread, doesn't matter if it's generic!.!. it still taste good!. Plus, they have generic brand wheat bread too, so healthier and cheap!
My favorite thing is Lipton Pasta/Rice Sides!. They're only a dollar a pack, feed about 4 people, and all you really need to have is milk, because other then that the pack includes everything! They have so many delicious varities for so cheap!
Of course I will suggest Ramen noodles!.!. as many college students hate them, it is always good to have them in stock for a rainy day!. If you really don't have anything left in your cabinets, at least you have them!.!. plust they're only like 12 cents!.!. can't get much better than that!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

My college essentials:
tuna (either on a sandwich or with crackers)
rice
frozen veggies & fruit (so much cheaper than fresh, with the same or better nutritional content)
boneless, skinless chicken breast (just thaw and put in the oven for 30 mins, buy some seasoning or marinade to spice it up)
pasta (I like just pasta with a little olive oil and pepper, but you could also get Ragu and heat that up)
potatoes -- they last a relatively long time if you store them right, and baked potatoes are easy to make in the microwave

also, buy store brands -- the quality is generally the same as name brands, and you'll be surprised how much you'll save!. And don't hesitate to clip coupons!. For a college student, buying in bulk is not always the best idea, unless it's nonperishable -- I always end up throwing a lot away, as I'm just cooking for myself!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Quick and easy
Canned creamed chicken soup to use as a gravy!. Pour over left over chicken, or small canned chicken , also a box of instant brown rice (has 3 meals worth) in a bag!.
Tomato sauce can be extended for several meals!. Add water and instant mashed potatoes to thicken, and there's 4 more meals with pasta!. (get wheat pasta, different shapes for variety!.)
Ground turkey!. Mix with 6 slices of bread, ( soak with water then squeeze out water) 1 egg, salt and pepper, dried onions from spice jar(goes a long way) mix all together and make paddies!. Makes about 8 paddies or more,(depending on how thick) cut squares of wax paper!. layer paddies with wax paper between!. Freeze them for many meals!.
Buy small potato salad!. Add 1 can sliced potato's, mix and have many meals of that!. Canned tuna or salmon are healthy
right out of the can just for a snack or meal!. For extra flavor, add mayo and/or onion powder!.
a slice of bread and smart balance butter with a sliced tomato or wrap a pickle!.
Whole wheat tortilla, wrap around a hot dog or mozzarella string cheese!.
Love soups!. By the box or can!.
Heat Swanson's Healthy chicken broth, add canned mixed vegetables and a can of chicken!.!. There is a whole meal!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

A crockpot is a wonderful cooking utensil!. You can buy the cheapest piece of meat and cook it 6-8 hours with potatoes, carrots and onions and have a gourmet meal that will serve you many days as the leftovers are wonderful!. You can portion out individual servings and freeze for later use!. also, you can slow cook a chicken with veggies, eat a portion that evening, and then make chicken soup or stew out of the leftovers!. There are great slow cooker recipes on the internet!. My single son uses his crockpot and takes leftovers to work and saves a ton of money!. Beef stroganoff is cheap, good and plentiful!. Cook a roast beef til tender, take out of crockpot, shred or cut into pieces, add back to crockpot, add enough water to cook noodles, when noodles are done, turn off heat, stir in canned mushrooms and a cup of sour cream!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

work more rice and beans into your diet!. hamburger is the cheapest meat you can buy so try to learn how to cook things with it, such as tater tot casserole, cheeseburgers, and there is always hamburger helper!. If you want recipes contact me and I can give you a ton of them for a tight budget, just let me know what kinds of foods you eat!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Ramen Noodle Veggie Skillet Dish

Cook the Ramen Noodles!. Add in your chopped vegetables and combine with the noodles!. Cook until done!. Do NOT use the flavor packet but season with Greek seasoning!. YUMMY!!!

Optional: You can add in chopped pieces of meat also!.
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Hot Dog Casserole

You take hot dogs and cut them up!. Add in mixed vegetables, chopped onion, tator tots, and a cheese sauce!. Pour into casserole dish and bake until done!.

***If you do not want cheese sauce, you can add in a can of undiluted creamed soup of your choice!.***
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dark meat chicken
ground beef
eggs
lowfat milk, chees (buy blocks, grate your own)
legumes, dry beans and peas
pasta, all shapes
rice
PNB (for sandwiches, cookies, spreading on apples, graham crax, or pretzels for a good snack)
store-brand wheat bread (store in fridge, or even freezer, if you don't eat it often)

also shop loss leaders!. If pork chops are on sale, buy them instead of chicken!. Freeze into portions sized for you (freezer zip bags or freezer wrap + masking tape) Buy fresh fruit and veggis that are on sale (skip bananas if not on sale) and buy only 2 or 3, you don't have to buy the whole bunch!. Frozen fruit and veggies are often a good deal, too!.

Cheap Meals:

Beans & Rice (use a slow cooker for beans, season w/ a bit of ham)
Pasta & Meatsauce (or Tomato Sauce)
Chili w/ Beans
HB patties in gravy
Smothered Chicken in gravy or Baked Chicken
Eggs as entree: omelettes, quiche, just cooked like you like themWww@FoodAQ@Com

Try making some tacos just buy tortilla shells and ground beef and taco seasoning and lettuce, That would be a cheap meal, I guess you could have those for a few days if you didn't mind eating the same thing all the time!. You could also make some hamburger helper if you like it, that is really simple to make!. There are so many possibilities it just depends on what you like!. I know food is outrageous these days!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I like to cook Minute brown rice and cook some chicken up and then put some yoshida sauce over it!. Fast and good you can also freeze it and eat it when you want to!. Best place to buy yoshida sauce it at costco walmart albertsons and so on charge the same price as costco only you get less at those places!. You can go to www!.mryoshidas!.com to see what it looks like!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

1st, apply and see if you can get food stamps!. Try buying lean cuisne!. Shop for things in the paper like coupons!. Shop online for coupons!.!. Making soups are pretty cheap!. Get chicken broth, some noodles (or rice) and some carrots or celery!. Sandwiches are pretty cheap!. And making your pizza isn't that expensive either!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Im also a college kid
one of my favorites is ramen with corn
just dump strained canned corn in the pot with ramen noodles and leave out the seasoning
I also eat a lot of pbj sandwiches and cereal
It kinda stinks when you cant afford meat very often, but peanut butter helpsWww@FoodAQ@Com

Make things like spaghetti and sauce, lasagne, !.!.!. and other things you can make yourself in bulk and get some cheap containers to put the leftovers into!. freeze them or keep them in the fridge!. if you need actual recipes go to allrecipes!.com they have a great databaseWww@FoodAQ@Com

chicken goes a long way, can be cooked a ton of different ways many of them healthy!.!.!. if you want i can email you some of my favorite recipes, none are expensive to make!.!.!.i am 26 going to college with 3 kids and one on the way!.!.!.my entire life is a budget!.!.!.mmgould@email!.davenport!.eduWww@FoodAQ@Com

make stuff like spagettii were i live its cheep and its good and lasts a long time !. so yea and you could get stuff that comes with alot of food in it like hotpocts corndogs chicken nuggects and ect !. thats wat i do well i hope i helped =]Www@FoodAQ@Com

one good thing to make is pasta its cheap and it has alot of varieties top it with alfredo or prego and its a mealWww@FoodAQ@Com

speghetti!.
or look up top chef how to cook a meal with ten dollars or less!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Lean cuisine!? idk!. my cousin lives on vienna sausages and ramen noodles!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Any kind of bean is healthy and fairly cheap!. If you have days where you can't afford meat, eat beans!. Rice is always good to have on hand too!. Both are easy to make and mix well with other ingredients!. You can make soups, burritos, side dishes, casseroles!.!.!.If you take a can of "cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken soup and mix it with cooked meat(tuna, chicken, ground beef, etc!.!.!.), cooked rice and veggies(top with cheese if u want) and bake it in the oven until the soup is bubbling (375 degrees for 1/2 hour) you will have a meal that will last you several days!. If this sounds too hard to start, use hamburger helper, follow the directions on the box, and add peas, corn, carrots, any kind of veggie that sounds appetizing to you!. You can use chicken or pork in them as well!.
Stirfry is easy too!. Cook the meat, add brocolli, squash, whatever type of veggie sounds good, a bottle of stir fry sauce,( follow the directions on the bottle)!. serve over rice!.
In addition, utilize the internet!. Do a search for "easy recipes" or you can even be more specific, such as "easy chicken recipes"!. You wouldn't believe how many websites there are!.

Buy a crock pot!. They are cheap and very easy to use!. There are many websites just for recipes for crock pots!.

also, check out websites such as couponmom!.com!. It's got great resources to find out what is on sale at different stores!. There are also websites out there that help you make grocery lists for menus!. I used to use arcamax!.com!. It is a publishing website that sends you emails about things that you may be interested in, such as recipes!. Just choose the ones that you want (try their "healthy recipes", "recipes by Zola", "cullinary world", "chef", and "7 day menu planner"!.

Good Luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com

Garlic Chicken

2 teaspoons crushed or minced garlic, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 425 degrees!. Warm garlic and olive oil in a shallow dish in the microwave to blend flavors!. In a separate shallow dish, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan!. Dip the chicken breasts in oil mixture, then in crumb and Parmesan mixture!. Place in a shallow, lightly greased baking pan!.

Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear, and coating is golden brown!.

Notes: If your chicken breasts are very thick, I suggest you pound them with a meat mallet to flatten them, or cut them into strips to promote quicker cooking!.

I have used Italian seasoned bread crumbs instead of plain ones, or crushed cracker crumbs instead!.
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Sweet Potato Pancakes

INGREDIENTS
3/4 pound sweet potatoes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter, melted


DIRECTIONS
Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan of boiling water, and cook until tender but firm, about 15 minutes!. Drain, and immediately immerse in cold water to loosen skins!. Drain, remove skins, chop, and mash!.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg!. Mix mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk and butter in a separate medium bowl!. Blend sweet potato mixture into the flour mixture to form a batter!.
Preheat a lightly greased griddle over medium-high heat!. Drop batter mixture onto the prepared griddle by heaping tablespoonfuls, and cook until golden brown, turning once with a spatula when the surface begins to bubble!.
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Ham, Spinach and Mushroom Quiche ( Recipe, Recipes )
Perfect for brunch!. This recipe makes two 9 inch quiches!.

Ingredients
10 oz!. fresh baby spinach
1 (8oz!.) container sour cream
2 pie crusts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion finely diced
12 oz!. mushrooms finely diced
2 cups finely diced ham
8 oz!. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
8 oz!. shredded cheddar cheese
8 eggs
1-1 ? cups half and half
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté onions until soft and translucent, stir in mushrooms; cook for 2 minutes or until soft; stir in ham, remove from heat!.
In a large bowl, combine spinach, sour cream, and salt and pepper to taste!. Divide in half and spread into 2 pie crusts!. Top with ham and mushroom mixture!.
Mix Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses and sprinkle evenly over each pie!. Whisk together the eggs, half and half, and salt and pepper and pour evenly over pies!.
Place pies on baking sheet on middle shelf in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until browned!.
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Spinach Dip in Hawaiian Round Bread

1 pkg!. (10 oz!.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 container (16 oz!.) sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 pkg!. KNORR Vegetable Soup and Recipe Mix
1 can (8 oz!.) chestnuts, drained and chopped
3 scallions, chopped
1 Hawaiian Bread Round, scoop out middle to make a bowl and reserve

In a med!. bowl, stir the spinach, sour cream, mayo, soup mix, water chestnuts and green onions until well mixed!. Cover and chill 2 hours to blend flavors!.

Stir before serving!. Pour into a prepared round of Hawaiian Bread, serve with crackers and the scooped out bread pieces
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Caramelized Walnuts

? pound walnuts, about 1 3/4 cups
1 egg white
1/3 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350o!. Mix walnuts, egg white and sugar together in a medium bowl!. Place on sheet pan and bake at 350o degrees for 15 to 20 minutes!. Let cool, then break into pieces if necessary!.
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Dates Wrapped in Bacon

2 boxes of pitted dates
2 packages of bacon

Cut bacon package in half, wrap a date in a bacon half and arrange on a baking sheet!. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, halfway thru baking turn them around so they bake completely!. Drain, let them cool and arrange on a pretty dish with toothpicks!.
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Pineapple Cheese Spread

This makes 5 cups!.

2 8 oz!. cream cheese
1 8 ? oz!. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 c!. chopped pecans
? c!. chopped green bell pepper
2 T!. chopped green onion
1 t!. Lawrey's Seasoned Salt
Soften cream cheese and mix with pineapple, nuts, green pepper and onions!. Blend in salt and mix well!. Pack into a crock and refrigerate to set or roll into a ball covered with crushed pecans!. Serve with crackers!.
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Crabmeat Pinwheels

6 large flour tortillas
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 4 ounce can crabmeat, drained

Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, onions, red pepper, cheddar cheese and crabmeat!. Spread thin layer of mixture on tortillas!. Wrap individually in plastic wrap!. Chill at least three hours or overnight!. When ready to serve, cut into 3/4 inch appetizers!.
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Wrap-and-Roll Basil Pinwheels

Makes about 24 pinwheels

3 (7 - or 8-inch) flour tortillas
1 (5!.2-oz!.) carton Boursin Cheese or one 5-oz!. container semi soft cheese with garlic and herbs
12 large fresh basil leaves
? of a 7-oz!. jar roasted red sweet peppers, cut into 1/4-inch wide strips
4 oz!. thinly sliced cooked roast beef, ham, or turkey
1 Tbsp!. mayonnaise or salad dressing
Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Spread each flour tortilla with 1/3 of the Boursin cheese or semisoft cheese with garlic and herbs!. Add a layer of the large fresh basil leaves to cover cheese!. Divide roasted red sweet pepper strips between the tortillas; arrange roasted red pepper strips over the basil leaves 1 to 2 inches apart!. Top with meat slices!. Spread 1 teaspoon mayonnaise or salad dressing over the meat on each tortilla!. Roll up the tortillas tightly, jell-roll style, enclosing the filling!. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap!. Chill the tortilla rolls in the refrigerator 2 to 4 hours to blend flavors!.

To serve, remove the rolls from the refrigerator!. Remove the plastic wrap from the tortilla rolls; cut each of the rolls into 1-inch slices (make diagonal slices, if desired)!. Garnish with the fresh basil leaves, if you wish!. Skewer each of the cut tortilla rolls on frilly picks or on short decorative skewers, if desired!.
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Sugared Spiced Nuts

1 large egg white
1 teaspoon water
4 cups mixed salted roasted nuts (about 1 1/4 lb!.)
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 250F!.

Whisk together egg white and water in a large bowl until frothy and stir in nuts!. Stir together sugar and cinnamon and stir into nuts, coating well!. Spread nuts in a lightly buttered large shallow pan and bake in middle of oven until dry, about 50 minutes!. Cool and break into bite-size chunks!.

Cooks' note:
Nuts keep in an airtight container at room temperature 5 days!.

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Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

2 pkgs!. (one 8 ounces, and one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1 pkg (!.4 ounce) ranch salad dressing mix
3 dozen cherry tomatoes

In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise and salad dressing mix until smooth!. slice a thin slice off tops of tomatoes and carefully remove insides; invert on paper towel to drain!. Fill with cream cheese mixture!.
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Strawberry-Cheese Ball

1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
? cup chopped pecans
2 green onions, chopped

Mix in ball and refrigerate over night!. Pour 5 oz!. strawberry preserves over ball just before serving!. Serve with a butter cracker such as Ritz!.

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Spinach Roll-Ups

2 boxes frozen spinach, defrost and squeeze out the liquid
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Baco Bits
? pkg Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Flour tortillas

Mix together first 5 ingredients!. Spread on flour tortillas and roll up!. Wrap in wax paper!. Refrigerate overnight!. Slice and serve!.
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Orange Glazed Cocktail Sausages

1 package Lit'l Smokies (50 links)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons mustard
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate (undiluted)

Combine ingredients and heat until warm in microwave!.
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Crab 'n Stuff

8-oz!. imitation or real crab meat
8-oz!. cream cheese
Seafood or cocktail sauce

Combine cream cheese and crab!. Shape in a ball!. Pour seafood sauce over crab ball!. Serve with wheat crackersWww@FoodAQ@Com





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