Craving something homemade? How about dorm-made? Cooking in a dorm room can be the solution for cravings of mom’s cooking. Though dorm regulations restrict you to a mini-fridge and microwave, dining options exceed Ramen or macaroni and cheese. A little experimenting can lead to creating brownies or even pizza.

Beware of restrictions when cooking in the dorms. Roomates should coordinate when buying appliances says Aaron Lindley, marketing and public relations specialist for Housing and Food. No more than one of each appliance is allowed in a dorm room. Microwaves cannot exceed dimensions of 25” by 25” by 25” and have to be 500-750 watts. Collegiate Concepts offers a MicroFridge that is a microwave and refrigerator comibined. Students may rent a MicroFridge for the year. Go to housing.ou.edu for renting information.

“The restrictions are tough but you have to learn to deal with them,” chemical engineering sophomore David Solmi says.

Psychology junior Taylor Borum thinks cooking in the dorms is easy and beneficial.

“I found making something like veggie pizza made me feel more energized compared to eating something greasy,” Taylor says.

Taylor adds it was quicker than going to the cafeteria when she had studying to do.

From scrambled eggs to pizza to cake, anything can be made in the microwave. Goog search “dorm recipes” for ideas and tips from those who’ve been there done that in the dorms.

To make dorm cooking easier, Sower found a few simple but tasty recipes. Dorm room chef or murderer of mac and cheese, anyone can cook these delicious recipes.

Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients: 1 egg; 1 tbsp butter; Cheese (optional); Pepper (optional)

Materials needed: Bowl; Fork

Instructions: Place a small amount of butter in bowl. Microwave until melted. Break the egg into the bowl. Scramble the egg using a fork. Place bowl into microwave for one minute. Stop to scramble egg after 30 seconds. Place back in microwave for 30 more seconds. Pull out, scramble. Add cheese and pepper to taste.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Pepperoni Quesadilla

Ingredients: 2 tortillas; 8-10 pepperoni slices; ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Materials Needed: Plate

Instructions: Put one tortilla on the plate. Place cheese and pepperoni on one side of the tortilla. Set the other tortilla on top. Put the quesadilla into the microwave for one minute or until cheese is completely melted. Be aware of cooking too much as tortilla will get hard if overcooked.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Veggie Pizza

Ingredients: Pita bread; ½ 8 oz cream cheese package; ½ 1 oz Hidden Valley ranch dip packet; Chopped broccoli; Chopped red bell pepper; Chopped carrots

Materials needed: Bowl; Knife

Instructions:

Place cream cheese into bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until soft. Mix ranch dip in with the cream cheese. Spread the ranch/cream cheese mixture onto pita bread. Place cut veggies on pita bread to personal liking.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rice Crispy Treat

Ingredients: 1 tbsp butter; 1½ cups of marshmallows; 2 cups of Rice Crispy cereal

Materials Needed: Medium bowl; Spoon

Instructions: Place a generous amount of butter into bowl and microwave until melted. Fill the bowl of melted butter with marshmallows. Set in microwave and watch microwave closely until they are melted. Be careful, the marshmallows expand in size when heated. Pour the cereal into the melted marshmallows and mix. Add extra rice crispy if it is too easy to mix. Flatten in bowl to form into bars to make enjoying this delight easier. Beware, the mixture will be super sticky.

Rating: 4 of 5