Is your stomach growling, but you don’t have the kitchen equipment to make any fancy meals? Don’t fret!
This is your go-to guide for quick and easy meals that you can make at home without the need for any fancy equipment.
Regardless of if you are a new homeowner or a broke university student living in student accommodation, we have got you covered.
Table of Contents
Tips to Make Quick and Easy Meals with Minimal Kitchen Equipment
No-Cook Meals
No-cook meals, literally meals that you don’t have to turn the hob or any other appliance on for, are a godsend when it comes to throwing together a quick meal with limited kitchen equipment.
Our first recommendation is of course none other than the classic salad.
All you need to do is toss together a few ingredients such as:
- Â Red onion
- Â Cucumber
- Â Lettuce (romaine or iceberg for crispiness)
- Â Tomatoes (we prefer cherry tomatoes)
- Â Spinach
- Â Black beans (optional)
- Â Feta or cheddar cheese (optional)
Peel, slice and chop your ingredients to your preference. Don’t forget that you can mix and match ingredients too, so if you are a fan of fruit, don’t be afraid to add mango to the mix as well.
Top it off with a salad dressing of your choice – we prefer adding a touch of apple cider vinegar or pomegranate vinegar with a dash of olive oil.
Microwaveable Quick Bites
Looking for something tasty and got a microwave in your home?
The microwave mug cake has been a viral hit on social media, with a range of different mug cakes that can be made using a microwave and only a few ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboard!
For a chocolate mug cake, find your largest mug and add:
- 2 tbsp of flour (all-purpose flour will work)
- Â 2 tbsp of milk
- Â ÂĽ tsp of baking powder (if you used all-purpose flour)
- Â 3 tbsp of sugar
- Â 2 tbsp of cocoa powder
- Â Chocolate chips (optional)
Mix these thoroughly and ensure that the mixture is enough for the cake to rise as it heats in the microwave.
Let it cook in the microwave for 1 – 2 minutes.
Mug cakes can be a trial-and-error recipe as it is all dependent on the type of microwave and mug that you are using. So, don’t hesitate to experiment!
On a Budget
For those on a strict budget (and in our current cost-of-living crisis, we don’t blame you!), don’t let this stop you from eating healthy. In fact, you don’t even have to break the bank in order to make cheap, healthy meals.
A tip that we truly recommend to help you keep healthy without negatively impacting your wallet is to add healthy carbs such as whole-grain bread, pasta, and rice. Instead of cereal, opt for porridge or overnight oats – yummy and easy to make!
If you’re a snacker, avoid crisps and chocolates, and eat these as a healthy alternative:
- Â Carrot, celery, or other vegetable sticks (try dipping them in hummus!)
- Peanuts (but in moderation in the case of salted peanuts)
- Â Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Fruit (especially canned in natural juice)
