Most university students would probably agree that they lead busy lives. Not only do most of us run between society meetings, lectures and sports practices throughout the day. But, on top of that, we also have to live our lives and look after ourselves, including cooking our own meals. While cooking tends to be an enjoyable activity, it can take up large chunks of time with all the preparation it requires. However, there are several ways around this. I have curated a list of my favourite meals to cook in a rush. The majority of them take less than ten minutes to put together and they are undisputedly delicious.
Stir Fry
This is probably my favourite dinner to make and eat in the week. All you have to do is chop up any vegetables according to your personal preferences (my go-to’s are mushrooms, peppers, onion, sweetcorn and peas) and stick them in a pan with some packet noodles. Seasoning-wise, I usually opt for soy sauce and chilli oil. But there are plenty of oriental pre-made condiments available in supermarkets if you want to spice things up. Stir fry is the perfect way to stay healthy too, as you get in your seven-a-day and cut down on meat consumption.
Eggs
I think eggs can be quite controversial: most people either love them or hate them. Irrespective of this, eggs are one of the most versatile foods out there. Whether you like them fried, scrambled, boiled or poached, or are making them for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, there is always a time and a place to have an egg dish. I think the best comfort meal you can have, which was trending all over TikTok during lockdown, is any form of eggs placed on top of some smashed avocado toast.
Paella
For those who are unsure of what exactly paella is comprised of, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. All you need is rice, vegetables and chicken. In a similar vein to the stir fry mentioned earlier, chuck all the ingredients in a pan and let it simmer. The famous Spanish dish is known for its flavoursome kick that comes from the typical addition of paprika and saffron, but any spices will do! One of the best things about paella is how soft and easy it is to eat. You could easily take it to campus for a lunchtime snack.
Toasties
This one is pretty straightforward. Rather than wasting your money on a Subway, just pop a sandwich into a toastie-maker, oven or frying pan to get a nice warm snack. For a more substantial meal, pair it with salad, a bag of crisps or even soup.
Fajitas
If you are looking for the more up-market version of a toastie, why not try a fajita? This Mexican sandwich requires any grilled meat (usually chicken), peppers and onions fried together in a pan before being placed onto a tortilla and topped with cheese and condiments, such as guacamole, sour cream and tomato salsa. While this one takes a little longer to cook, it is probably my favourite on the list as it is an easy meal to make but still super flavoursome.