Living in a hostel can be fun and challenging at the same time. You and your roommates are served lunch, dinner, and breakfast according to the time, and it is difficult to cook either way when you are hungry and out of schedule.
Many hostels allow an electric kettle or induction pot in the room, which can be used to warm your food or make tea in it.
Induction pots are not different from a kettle, but instead of a hollow flask, the induction pot has a wide mouth, just like a cooking pot.
Many of you living in a hostel would know that electric appliances are worth millions in such a place where people, including your seniors and juniors, will make whatever they like in the kettle or pot to survive the mess's food.
Here are some of the brilliant hacks you can try and create in your induction pot to impress your friends and make memories that will last forever.
6 Ways To Use Induction Pot Late At Night
1. Instant Noodle Soup
Maggie is a classic to start with. Boil water in the induction pot and add instant noodles along with the seasoning packet. Once the noodles are cooked, add some chopped vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage. You can add soy sauce for extra flavour. Also, instead of instant noodles, you can use rice for variation.
2. Quick Vegetable Curry
Heat some oil in the induction pot and sauté onions, garlic, and ginger. Add potatoes, carrots, and peas along with curry powder or paste. Stir well and add a little water. Let it simmer until the vegetables are cooked through. Add dahi to make it creamy; also, sabji masala always comes in handy when preparing this.
3. One-Pot Pasta
Add pasta, water, chopped vegetables, and a pinch of salt to the induction pot. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the pasta is al dente. Add leftover dominos dipping packets and seasoning for extra flavour. You can also add cheese to it if you feel fancy at night. Readymade pasta mix spice always gives the meal a better taste.
4. Omelette
Beat eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Heat a little oil in the induction pot and pour in the egg mixture. Cook until the bottom is set, then flip and cook until the other side is done. Add chopped vegetables, cheese, or cooked meats to the egg mixture. You can make scrambled eggs or a frittata using similar ingredients and cooking methods, too.
5. Vegetable Stir-Fry
Simply heat oil in the induction pot and add sliced vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms. Stir-fry until they are tender-crisp, then add soy sauce and any desired seasonings. Add Maggie masala to it for a better taste. It can be served as bhujia, too. You can use tofu or paneer with the veggies.
6. Hot Chocolate
First, heat milk in the induction pot until it's warm but not boiling. Add cocoa powder and sugar to taste, and whisk until well combined and frothy. Add a splash of cinnamon and marshmallows if available. You can make a chai latte by steeping tea bags in hot milk instead of using cocoa powder.
These dishes are not only quick and easy to make using an induction pot. It is also versatile for late-night cravings in a hostel setting. Remember to be mindful of noise levels and cooking smells to avoid disturbing others sleeping nearby.