5 deliciously easy student recipes

These yummy student recipes are another great reason for staying in

Food is great. Everyone loves food. But everyone does not love having a few measly, stinky vegetables left at the end of the week that are too much to throw away and too little to make a meal out of. Fret not, fellow students! Here are five simple, delicious and leftover-friendly student recipes you can make that taste great, no matter what ingredients you throw into the mix.

In his last blog, Ben provided the tunes for a great night in. These tasty recipes are perfect for creating delicious meals on a student budget. They’re all so easy to make, too!

Creamy one pan risotto

You will need:

½ bag of Arborio Risotto rice (£1.10)
Chicken (optional)
Leftover vegetables
Creamy mushroom sauce (£1.70)
Garlic
Butter
Chives
Rocket or watercress (for garnish)

Method:

Step 1 – Chop the vegetables and chicken (I used 4 Chestnut mushrooms and 4 spring onions)
Step 2 – Fry the chicken in some light oil on a high heat
Step 3 – Add 1tsp of butter and 1tsp of garlic (or one clove)
Step 4 – Add the veg and fry until vegetables are soft
Step 5 – Add the sauce to the pan, turn the heat down to medium and stir
Step 6 – Add the risotto rice gradually, until the rice fills the sauce.
Step 7 – Let the rice simmer for around 30 minutes, stirring often.

Serve once rice is soft and clear, with no white grain visible.
Garnish with chive and watercress. If you make too much, this meal can be frozen for next time!

Healthy Green Thai Curry

You will need:

White or brown rice
Coconut milk (£1.99)
Green Thai curry paste (£1.69)
Chicken or prawn
Leftover vegetables
Cherry tomatoes

Method:

Step 1 – Boil some rice on a high heat whilst rest of the curry is cooking
Step 2 – Chop chicken and vegetables, fry the chicken for about 8 minutes on a high heat
Step 3 – Add the vegetables, if using prawns instead add with the vegetables and fry until vegetables are soft and prawns are pink
Step 4 – Add 1-2 tsp of Green Thai curry paste and stir into contents of pan. Add more if you like your food spicy!
Step 5 – Take pan off the heat and add the coconut milk, mixing the paste in with the milk
Step 6 – Place back on a low heat and add the cherry tomatoes. Simmer for 4 minutes
Step 7 – Drain the rice and serve

Garlic Bread bites

You will need:

Garlic bread
Leftover vegetables
1 x Tomato
Tomato puree (optional)
Garlic
Mozerella or grated cheese
Italian herbs (optional)
Rocket or watercress (optional)

Method:

Step 1 – Chop up your vegetables into 1cm cubes and fry on a medium heat with 1sp garlic (one clove)
Step 2 – Put the garlic bread in the oven for the allotted time needed
Step 3 – Chop the tomato into small chunks and chop the mozzarella/grate the cheese
Step 4 – Take the garlic bread out and get inventive with your toppings, use tomato puree to make your creation taste like pizza
Step 5 – Place back in the oven for about 3 minutes, letting the cheese melt
Step 6 – Remove from the oven and garnish with herbs and watercress before serving

Inspired by love food hate waste.

Pitta Bread Pizza

You will need:

Pitta bread
Tomato puree
Leftover vegetables
Garlic
Mozzarella

Method:

Step 1 – Coat one side of the pitta bread in tomato puree
Step 2 – Chop the vegetables, fry in 1tsp or one clove of garlic if necessary (for example if using mushrooms or onion)
Step 3 – Top the pitta bread in vegetables and chopped mozzarella
Step 4 – Place in the oven at about 180 ° until cheese has melted

Smokey eggs and passata

You will need:

1 x egg
leftover vegetables
bacon or chorizo
Italian herbs
Garlic
Tomato puree (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Tomato passata (£0.35)

Method:

Step 1 – Chop vegetables and fry on a medium heat
Step 2 – Chop bacon or chorizo and add to the pan
Step 3 – Fry or poach an egg in a separate pan or pot
Step 4 – Add contents of passata to a pot and season with 1tsp or one clove of garlic, salt, pepper and Italian herbs. Add tomato puree to taste.
Step 5 – Place the cooked vegetables and bacon into the pot of passata and stir through
Step 6 – Place passata and contents into a bowl and place egg in the middle