After the cardboard boxes have been unpacked and cast off, the posters hung and the drawers full of clothes, a few things are noticeably absent from every residence hall room. First, mom isn’t going to have dinner waiting when classes are done for the day. And between the roommate and the piles of stuff that seem to be growing by the day, there just isn’t space for a stove or oven. Noting these, it is now time to improvise. With a bit of creativity and afew small appliances, on-campus residents can cook up a storm in a matter of minutes.

Scrambled eggs — minus the frying pan:

Ingredients:2 eggs2 tablespoons milkPinch of salt Pinch of pepper2 teaspoons margarine

Directions: Beat the eggs in a bowl and add milk, salt and pepper. Melt margarine in a one quart casserole dish in microwave (30 seconds). Pour egg mixture into dish and cook uncovered three to four minutes. Remove and let stand covered for two minutes. Vary the dish by adding any of the following: one-fourth teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, one-third cup chopped and peeled tomato or onion, one-fourth cup finely shredded cheese, or one-half cup spinach.

Ditch the delivery boy and make your own pizza:

Ingredients:

4 English muffins1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce1 teaspoon oregano Dash of garlic powderDash of Mozzarella cheese

Toast the English muffins and top each one with tomato sauce, oregano, and a dash of garlic powder and mozzarella cheese. Cook in microwave uncovered for one to two minutes. Add your favorite toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, or green peppers and enjoy!

Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/visitor/college/bal-hl-dormrecipes,0,6826660.story?coll=bal-artslife-college

Paninis from a different sort of grill:

Ingredients/Materials:IronHeavy-duty aluminum foilCiabatta bread or Italian loaf bread, sliced thicklyOlive oil or butter spread4 slices of ham or turkey4 slices provolone cheese4 pieces of lettuceSharp knife

Directions: Lay out a large sheet of foil; fold it in half and cover your table. Brush 4 bread slices with olive oil or butter spread. Place two slices on the foil, butter side down. Brush lightly with oil. Place two slices of ham or turkey on each. Cover with two cheese slices. Add a few pieces of lettuce. Top with bread slice, butter side up. Set iron to high heat, no steam.

Cover each with a folded square of aluminum foil and iron each sandwich for three to four minutes. Flip sandwich, using foil, and iron again, for three minutes, pressing to flatten sandwich.

Remove sandwiches from foil; slice diagonally in half, then diagonally again to create four paninis from each sandwich.

Grilled pineapple and brown sugar dessert:

Ingredients/Materials:

Sandwich grill or iron

Aluminum foil1 fresh pineapple, sliced or from a can1 box light brown sugarButter1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions: Fold two large squares of foil in half. Place two slices of pineapple on the foil. Sprinkle with brown sugar; add little pieces of butter on top of the pineapple. Top with second square of foil. Fold each edge together, twice, into a packet to seal all around. (You want to contain all the juices.)

Place foil with pineapple into sandwich grill and cook on high for five minutes. Remove and check — be careful, because steam is hot.

If browned and the sugar is completely melted, serve at once, or return to grill for another three to five minutes.

When done, pineapple will be lightly browned and sugar slightly caramelized.Repeat with remaining pineapple. Serve with juices in a bowl and a small scoop of ice cream on top.

Source: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/food/content/food_dining/epaper/2007/08/09/a1fn_dorm_dinner_0809_webbed.html