The best quick fix recipes for graduates

Moving out and starting to make your own meals can be daunting. We have asked our graduate connections their go to recipes for graduates when they are away from home and here is what they suggested.

Jacked potato

very versatile and you can add literally any thing to it. Topping suggestions tuna mayo, baked beans with cheese, chilli with cheese and sour cream.

You can microwave potatoes – Wash the baking potatoes and prick the skins all over with a fork, creating lots of little holes for steam to escape from.

Lay a piece of kitchen roll on a microwave-safe plate, put the potatoes on it and pop another sheet of kitchen roll on top. Microwave for 4 mins, then take them out and turn the potatoes over – carefully, they will be hot. Re-cover with the kitchen roll and cook for another 4 mins, then turn again. Keep cooking in 1-2 min bursts until they feel soft all the way through and the skins are wrinkled.

Alternatively, if you want a crispy skin potato and have an air fryer you can rub the potato with olive oil and place in the air fryer. Set the timer for 55 mins and turn half way through. This will fully cook the potato and give you the desired crispy skin.

Poached egg on toast

Fill a large saucepan with water and add the vinegar. As soon as the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to a simmer.

Crack the egg into a small bowl. For a perfect egg with no wispy white bits, crack into a fine strainer and allow the runnier egg white to drain off.

Stir the water to create a gentle whirlpool which will help the egg white wrap around the yolk. Then carefully slide the egg into the water making sure the heat is low enough not to throw the egg around – there should only be small bubbles rising.

Cook for 3-4 mins, until the white is cooked through.

Pop your bread in the toaster Remove gently using a slotted spoon and blot any water from the base on a tea towel or kitchen paper. You can add more than one egg to the pan but make sure each one has enough room.

Tuna, sweetcorn pasta mayo.

Cook up your desired amount of pasta and leave to cool. Once cooled add in your tinned tuna, tinned sweetcorn and a big dollop of mayo and give it a mix. You can save this over a few days if you make a big enough batch and save it in your fridge.

 Pasta with pesto and parmesan.

Cook up your desired pasta/spaghetti, drain well and return to the pan. Add in 2-3 tbsp of pesto from a jar and some parmesan. Give it a mix and serve. Pesto is a great additive to a dish to up your flavours.

Additionally, we have found the following links that have great options on a budget.  

Check out BBC Good Food link for more great recipes.

Check out Tesco weblink for more student recipes. 

Thanks to everyone who shared their recipe ideas with us. These will hopefully help all the future graduates when they are looking for basic meals to cook.

If you would like any help or support with finding a Graduate role, then please do contact us and check out our LinkedIn for up to date job posts.