When you leave school, your life undergoes significant adjustments. While some stay with their parents, others live away from home. If you're a student living in a hostel, finding meals is one of the most challenging aspects of your everyday life.
Focusing on your college assignments and still maintaining your health can be hectic. Cooking up with various utensils that are not intended to be used for cooking is the first step. Second, anything that can be boiled and seasoned is way better than hostel food. Third, have backups and be a jagadu!
If you're worried about surviving, don't worry because here are a few tips and methods that will come in useful and make your hostel days the greatest of your life!
Seven Workable Meals At Hostel At Midnight to Try
1. Maggi Atta Noodles
You can't beat Maggi from this list, no matter what. This comforting classic for a reason. You can try whole wheat noodles for something healthy and regular. You'll need instant Maggi Atta noodles, chopped onions, diced tomatoes, green chillies, coriander leaves, hot water, and cooking oil. Simply saute the onions, tomatoes, and chillies in a bit of oil, add the masala tastemaker and hot water, and cook the noodles according to package instructions. Garnish with coriander leaves. It's quick, cheap, and uses minimal utensils. Use a kettle, use iron below a pot, or candles; it works with everything non-cookery!
2. Instant Upma
This savoury and light dish is perfect for those nights when you don't want something too heavy. It has a soft, porridge-like texture. You'll need quick-cooking semolina (sooji), grated coconut, chopped vegetables, water, salt, and a flavour packet that often comes with the instant upma. Just follow the package instructions, adding water and the flavour packet. Saute some grated coconut and chopped veggies for extra flavour. Cook it in the instant bag or cook it in a plat below candles. Microwaving also works if available.
3. Yoghurt Rice
This cooling and refreshing dish is perfect for hot summer nights. You'll need some sneaked-in cooked rice, plain yoghurt, chopped cucumber, onions, green chillies, salt, and sugar. Simply mix cooked rice with plain yoghurt and add chopped vegetables and seasonings to taste. It's quick, requires no cooking, and is refreshing. It's more like dahi-based rice salad. Add some achar to elevate the taste.
4. Spicy Peanut Salad
This protein-packed salad is an excellent option for a healthy late-night snack. You'll need peanuts, cucumber, onions, tomatoes, chopped coriander leaves, lemon juice, red chilli powder, salt, and sugar. Mix all the ingredients, and adjust the spice level to your taste. It's healthy, uses minimal utensils, and requires no cooking. A perfect munchy for your hostel party.
5. Fruit Chaat
It is rare to see fruits in the hostel. But, if someone has brought some, make a salad. The flavour and ingredients will vary depending on the available fruits, but some common ingredients include apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, pomegranate seeds, lemon juice, and chaat masala. Mix all the chopped fruits, drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with chaat masala and sugar to taste.
6. Bread with Butter & Jam
Need to study! Quickly whip this up. This simple yet satisfying combo is a great way to warm up on a cold night. The chai is typically a strong milky tea with spices like ginger and cardamom, the bread is soft and fluffy, and the butter and jam add sweetness. Most hostels will have tea supplies and a bread toaster. Butter and jam packets are often available, too. Avoiding mess food. This requires zero effort.
7. Canteen Leftovers
Hostels often have common areas where people can store leftovers. With permission, you can get creative and turn someone's leftover rice or veggies into a quick meal. Saute leftover rice with chopped vegetables and spices for a quick fried rice. Add leftover cooked vegetables to scrambled eggs for protein in the middle of the night.
The possibilities of creating something new and delicious with the hostel restrictions and the food available without fire are unique. There are very different kinds of ways which you can safely apply to cook various types of meals. Different storing and stocking techniques can help you avoid mess food altogether. Use kettles, irons, induction, candles, and many other things with vegetable combinations. This seems to work well as hostel food is not student-friendly. Keep inventing and keep trying new combinations.