So…I’ve been thinking. About what will happen to my blog once I go to college (which is in less than 3 weeks…how time flies!). For awhile I considered temporarily closing down the blog, but Mari, Joanne, and Jen shot down the idea (thanks, guys).
And considering that there are so many bloggers out there who can juggle school, work, social life, and blogging, I have no excuse not to give it a try myself. Plus, I’ll be living in an on-campus apartment. I only have a partial meal plan, so I’ll have to cook for myself most of the time anyway. Also, by now I just cannot imagine life without blogging. Yes, I think I now define myself as a blogger.
But here’s the trouble:
- I don’t want to be taking boring pictures of cereal and Subway sandwiches and froyo all the time
- I’ll be having an teensy weensy kitchen, where I’m not even sure if I have an oven (oh PLEEEEAAAASEEE let there be one!)
- My classes are packed together so meals can’t be elaborate (Example: On Friday, classes are from 8am-4pm…WTH?)
- I can’t stock up on a lot of ingredients since I am cooking for one
- The grocery stores near my school are crappy and if I want to get to a decent one I’ll have to hitch a ride
- I’ll have a limited budget (living expenses in LA is crazy!)
- I really don’t think I’ll have that much time to blog daily (Gotta get my A’s xp)
And here’s my solution:
- In college, most of my recipes will be quick and easy and simple and cheap
- I’ll befriend someone who has a car and suck up to her/him
- I’ll be blogging less often, but at least 2-3 times a week (crosses fingers and toes)
- George Foreman grill, the microwave, and the rice-cooker shall be my new buddies (I might even be on name-terms with them)
- I might have to resort to (a-hem) borrowing some ingredients from the school dining hall
- Stay tuned for reviews on some restaurants around downtown LA!
- And maybe I’ll come up with some crazy creations using the food available in my dining hall
Hm. This will be quite a new adventure. I’m actually pretty excited to see how I’ll manage to come up with new recipes within these limitations. As for staying within my budget…That might just be my biggest weakness. In order to have good food…well, you’ve gotta have good ingredients. I might give up on a few luxuries just to eat well (and blog well). Ah, the sacrifices one must make as a foodie college student.
But here is my question to you: Do you have any tips/advices/suggestions for me? And what are you more willing to read from my blog? Recipes, reviews, or just my long-winded rambles?
Anyway, as a prelude to my simple life as a poor, stressed-out college student, here are two examples of meals I’ll most probably be having.
“Sushi” Roll-ups
- 1 whole-wheat flatbread
- 1/3 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup cucumbers, diced
- 1 tsp green tea powder
- 1 packet toasted nori sheets
- smoked salmon
First, mix together the cream cheese, cucumbers, and green tea powder:
Then spread it on top of the flatbread, lay down the nori sheets, layer the smoked salmon, and roll up. Cut.
Wow. Wasn’t that complicated?
Funny how they sort of…look like a gang. All riled up together, as if to say, “Wanna fight?”
PU-HAHAHA! This one looks like it’s sticking out its salmony-tongue! Cheeky fellow!
The nori I used was this:
Green tea flavored, and toasted in olive oil. Goes with the green tea-cucumber cream cheese spread!
Best thing about roll-ups is that they are so portable!
Now, on to my next profound recipe:
Poached Egg Ciabatta
- 1 ciabatta (from Costco)
- 2 tablespoons Trader Joe’s red pepper-artichoke tapenade
- basil leaves
- kabocha puree
- poached egg
- Parmesan cheese
- salt
Spread the tapenade onto the ciabatta, then microwave it for 3-5 seconds (makes it nice and warm and chewy). Layer the basil on one side, then spread the kabocha puree on the other side. Sprinkle with a bit of salt:
Gently set the poached egg on top of one side of the bread and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 
My mom interfered by slipping a piece of avocado and grape tomato in there. In college, this will never happen. I apologize.
Stack it up:
Cut into it to let the yolk flow!
Messy, but oh-so-delicious. As I said, a poached egg makes everything taste better. And some extra cheese can’t hurt!
So, this is just a snapshot of what my recipes are gonna be like in college. Also, I’ll probably be continuing on with my “mix-it-up” bowl recipe series since the concept of that was for simple, fast, versatile meals anyway.
Question of the day: Well, you already know the questions, but in case you forgot…Do you have any tips/advices/suggestions for me? And what are you more willing to read from my blog? Recipes, reviews, or just my long-winded rambles?
Please discuss on the comment page! I’m sure many are in the same boat as me, so everybody can benefit! 
P.S. Check this post about why body fat doesn’t matter, and please be sure to contribute your input so I can see this guy’s reenactament!
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Classes ALL day on Friday?? You poor thing
I think your solution sounds good.
That ciabatta sandwich looks amazing!
I think blogging a couple times a week is just a really good way to relax and get away from the stress of college life for a bit. It’s also some good “me” time. Helps you collect your thoughts and everything
Please continue blogging because I love reading everything you post – ramblings and all!
The poached egg ciabatta looks goooood. I’m usually scared of everything you post because it looks so hard and I’m not the best cook at all, lol. But everything you make always looks so yummy, so I needa grow a pair already and try your recipes!
Aww! I can’t wait to read about your college experience…even if we don’t hear from you everyday! You have such creative recipes, I’m sure you’ll find a way to make dining hall food look fabulous
Um, I love these pictures! They are fabulous!
Not a bad start, the wrap and ciabatta look really good!
I am sure you’ll manage it, don’t worry. I am actually a phd student, I commute everyday so I have to leave the house by7 or 8 something and I normally get back around 6. that’s why I cook relatively simple meals during weekdays. Blogging shouldnt sound like a chore, enjoy it! Do whatever you like!
Looks tasty…and I hear your dilemna, but know what…I’ll read whatever you write and love whatever crazy concoctions you come up with!! You just focus on grades and don’t worry about us, we’ll be here when you get some time!!!
Whatever your write, I’ll read it. You make me feel young again. And I love your blog!
crockpot. get yourself a crockpot.
If you get one where you can fit a chicken in it, all the better, but any size you can put a big ol’ piece of meat, and then let it simmer all day while you’re in class. It’s easy, tasty, and you can use cheaper cuts of meat… Plus if you cook a big piece of beef, a chicken, etc, you can then use that meat in a few meals to come (I cook a roast, then we have strogranoff, then we have beef barley soup… and those second meals are super quick!)
and steal veggies from the dining hall like crazy! if you’re not grocery shopping a lot it’s hard to keep some fresh ones around before they go bad, and they add up price wise. i might’ve brought tupperwear in my backpack when i was in college and taken stuff from the salad bar. and never got caught.
I’d buy a toaster oven if there’s no oven in your suite.
I think you’ll be all right, considering you’ll have a small kitchen.
There might be a weekly farmers market on campus.
When I was in college, I relied on couscous quite a bit. cos all you got to do is throw the stuff into a bowl, pour hot water on it, cover, let it sit for about 5 minutes and it’s good to eat!
I usually add some leafy veggies and a dash of soy sauce to it, and eat. haha. and you can always add a poached egg to it too!
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