Happy fall semester, and welcome back to campus! Starting a new semester comes with many adjustments for any student, whether you’re a freshman or returning to campus. These include balancing your days to prioritize your classes, extracurriculars, and well-being — including your nutrition! In my college experience, I prefer to make all my meals at home with my own groceries.
Let’s be honest, there are definitely times when I’m out and about and need to grab a quick lunch on campus (shoutout to Starbucks grilled cheese). However, there are also many other times when I’m cramming for a midnight assignment or exam in my apartment, and I need to take a quick study break. I usually spend these study breaks making a quick meal, ensuring that whatever I choose to cook is not only healthy but also delicious. Check out these four easy and quick recipes that bring me comfort. As a bonus, they all take only 10-20 minutes total to cook!
Easy Chicken Gyro
This is one of my favorite new recipes I’ve been making this semester. As a fan of Greek food, this gyro is perfect for me! Plus, it includes protein and vegetables, among other healthy ingredients. On a night of writing a long essay, I love bringing the flavors of the Mediterranean to my study space to serve as an instant pick-me-up. Just let me pretend I’m in Greece for a bit, please!
Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups
With the closure of FSU staple Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, I find myself craving Mexican food some nights without wanting to order Uber Eats. I love these handheld snacks that only take a total time of 10 minutes to prepare! The combination of chili powder, lime juice, and avocado is to die for. Only five ingredients are needed to make this amazing snack, and it’s totally worth it.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich
Obviously, I wasn’t going to skip a good breakfast recipe on my list. I like to start my day with the most important meal with these yummy sandwiches, which are perfect to eat before my morning classes. If I don’t feel like cooking bacon, I opt for a simple egg-and-cheese that gets the job done just as flavorfully. These are a great alternative to a breakfast sandwich that you may pick up from Starbucks or Dunkin’, straight from your kitchen. I may or may not be guilty of making this one every morning.
Chopped Salad with Figs and Blue Cheese
I’m going to be honest, I’m such a salad girl. To me, there’s nothing better than knowing I can make a healthy salad in a short amount of time, whether I’m packing it for lunch on the go or eating it before going to an afternoon class. I’m also a huge cheese girl, so I was immediately obsessed with this recipe because of the blue cheese that tops it off. Sometimes, I add a personal spin to this recipe by adding extra toppings, like kalamata olives or cherry tomatoes. It all depends on what I have in my fridge.
These four recipes have defined my first few weeks of the fall semester. As much as I love getting back into a busy college routine after a relaxing summer, I also need quick and easy meals to keep me energized through the first few weeks of adjustment. Even when I’m in the middle of the semester and set into my routine, I still crave these easy foods to accompany my study sessions. I hope you can find a new special food that you like through these recipes, and possibly even create your own unique take on some of them.
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