Starkizzer

Tonight was the second night in my university apartment that I share with 3 other girls. Tonight 2 of them came home while I was cooking diner for my boyfriend (fried rice and chicken with mushrooms and tofu). I thought it was a simple meal both were totaly impressed and insisted that I try to teach them. Now neither is young (have to be at least 21 to live here) sos I was suprised by this.
Now for some help from tilted:
Any fun, inexpensive, interesting, and or easy meals you can recomend to help these girls out. I dont want to become the cook or house mom

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Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey

Jason762

Wow, good for them for not making like my two roomates and eating out all the time.

One thing I can suggest is a George Foreman grill. Really easy to cook meats. Just pre-heat for 5 minutes, slap on some meat, and walk away for 7 to 10 minutes.

My best friend (the third roommate) who didn't eat out all the time would cook simple things such as mashed potatoes, hambugers, and spagetti in bulk and alternate meals. Sometimes he'd just eat a huge heaping of mashed potatoes and call it good. He was an athlete though and needed the extra carbs.

When my roomate DIDN'T go out, he'd cook top ramen and add 2 eggs during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Pretty smart, got the carbs and proteins in one easy shot.

Do you know what they like to eat? That'd help out a bit.

snowy

A George Foreman grill, a nonstick griddle pan, and a large saucepan go a long way.

George Foreman: veggie burgers, regular burgers, chicken breasts, fish filets, grilled veggies.

Griddle pan: Good for omelettes, pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, and hash browns.

Saucepan: Good for making soups, boiling pasta, and heating up pasta sauce

I would look at Rachael Ray's recipes from 30 Minute Meals on Food Network for other ideas. Generally, those recipes aren't overly fancy because of the time limit, but they're quite good.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

robodog

For a beginner cook Sandra Lee's semi-homemade approach might be even better than Rachael Ray's. On the downside Sandra tends to make things that are a little more expensive so possibly not all of her recipe’s would be appropriate for college students. http://www.semihomemade.com/dinners/index.htm

castex

Shepherd's pie:

Fry 1 diced onion on a low heat.
Add maybe 400g of nice, lean minced lamb. If you have a good butcher, get him to mince the lamb in front of you.
Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and Maldon sea salt.
Add half a stock cube and a little water.
Fry until brownish and not looking too sloppy - 10 mins should do it. Spoon off any fat that's collected.
Throw in a can of Heinz baked beans. Mix them in.
Now chuck the lot into a deepish ovenproof dish, cover with pre-boiled potato that's been mashed with creme fraiche or butter and milk. About an inch of potato on top should do it - you want that lamby goodness seeping out of the top here and there. If you're crazy about cheese now might be the time to grate the cheddar. I personally prefer not to. Not with lamb. With beef if you like, but that's a cottage pieand then you'll need to think about carrots and all sorts.
Bake in a hot oven for 30-40 minutes.
Serve with fresh or frozen garden peas. And ketchup if you've absolutely no idea about shepherd's pie. Like my wife, for example. Watch her just slap it on.
Yum.
Bon appetit.

I just thought I'd add that you might feel inclined to do some arty stuff with a fork on the mashed potato before baking. Go for it, really express yourself-you'll taste the difference