This quarantine has everyone on edge, and with good reason. As we all know, there’s not much else to do besides stay at home. And because of that, I can’t seem to leave the kitchen. Now that may (or may not) be a good thing if I could stop obsessing over the same 4 things.
Banana Bread
I know I’m definitely not alone when I say that I’m obsessed with banana bread. I’ve been a banana bread aficionado, but quarantine has let me pretty much perfect it at home. There are so many variations to banana bread from chocolate chips to cinnamon swirl that you can always adjust it to accommodate your tastes. A simple mixture of ripe bananas, all-purpose flour, eggs, sugar, oil and some spices can lead to a great loaf of banana bread!
Overnight Oats
If you don’t know about overnight oats, here’s a quick rundown. It’s a super simple recipe that involves oats and milk of your choice with whatever toppings you enjoy. Personally, I like adding half a banana and chia seeds to the mixture to give it more flavor and a boost of antioxidants. My toppings are a staple to making the ultimate overnight oats. I top it with more bananas (I really like bananas), hemp seeds, almond butter and granola. This is hands down the easiest thing I’ve made throughout the quarantine and I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn’t tried it yet. You’re welcome in advance.Â
Coffee
Most college students can’t live without coffee and I’m one of them. I usually drink my coffee straight black without milk, but whipped coffee has currently changed that. Whipped coffee, also known as Dalgona Coffee, is the new internet food craze. TikTok user, Hannah Cho, uploaded a 15-second video of her making it, and it instantly took off soon after. Whipped coffee is again, another easy recipe. It includes two tablespoons of instant coffee, two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of hot water. You can choose to whip it by hand or use a mixer. Once the mixture is frothy and creamy like, you spoon it atop a cold glass of milk. It is a sweet drink which is why black coffee is still my go-to, but to switch it up some days I’ll make this butterbeer-like drink and wish I wasn’t stuck inside.
Hummus
Hummus is a savory dip most popular in the Middle East. It is a blend of mashed chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini and garlic. If you’re feeling up to the challenge of making it from scratch, I strongly encourage it! I haven’t tried making it just yet, but it is definitely on my quarantine cooking agenda. For now, I stick to store-bought hummus and it hasn’t failed me yet. I like spicy foods, so I always go for a spicier hummus.  I pair it with pita chips or carrots, depending on my mood. Hummus is a great snack packed with plant-based protein and proven to help fight inflammation.
We’re on week 4 of this quarantine and it’s pretty safe to say it has sparked the inner chef in me. From internet food crazes to simple recipes, I’m sure it’s also sparked the creativity in us all. When this food-filled quarantine is over, I will be adding “Chef” to my resume.
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