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10 Spring Inspired Recipes

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The weather is changing and spring is here, which means summer is right around the corner. But with afternoons spent outdoors comes a change in what you’ll be eating.

Of course, as a student, we know your cupboard and fridge aren’t always as well-stocked as the one at your parent’s house. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t rustle up some delicious spring recipes to ensure you’re not eating the carb-heavy meals of winter.

Quick, easy, and pretty cheap too, we’ve made a list of 10 recipes featuring both mains and desserts that’ll be perfect for you and your housemates this spring.

Oh, and before we forget, while many of the recipes feature herbs and spices, don’t worry if you haven’t got a stock of them to hand at the moment. These are all pretty cheap, especially if you opt for the non-branded ones, and last much longer than one meal.

Dinner time

Twice-Baked Potato

Serves: 4
Cook time: 90 minutes

Potatoes, hugely versatile, pretty cheap, and best of all, easy to cook, especially when they’re baked. This twice-baked potato is not only easy and cheap, but delicious, healthy and a great way to add a little variety to something that could become very boring while chilling outside.

Ingredients:

  • 4 baking potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 spring onions (sliced)
  • 100g bacon lardons
  • 50g unsalted utter
  • Salt
  • Pepper

You can find the method here.

Homemade Pot Noodle

Serves: 1

Cook time: less than 10 minutes

The pot noodle – a staple of the student cupboard. But let’s be honest, they don’t taste that great, they cost too much for what they are, and they’re not the healthiest. However, this version is quick and healthy, and will curb that food craving quicker than you’d expect.

Ingredients:

  • 1 noodle nest
  • 1 fresh chilli or chilli flakes
  • 2 tablespoons chicken or vegetable stock
  • 3-4 small tomatoes
  • Chopped and cooked chicken, mushrooms, cabbage or other meat or vegetables you’d like to use
  • Boiling water to cover the food

You can find the method here.

Tuna and Sweetcorn Fishcakes

Serves: 4
Cook time: 40 minutes

Fish can feel like a luxury at times, which is where tinned fish comes in handy. But, don’t just throw it with some pasta and mayo, on a potato or between two slices of bread. Instead, take a few minutes more and make these patties that are ideal for eating during the spring as they’re delicious, healthy, and not too heavy.

  • 450g quartered potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 x 185g drained tuna
  • 198g drained sweetcorn
  • 1 small bunch of chives or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 100g dried breadcrumbs
  • Oil for frying

You can find the method here.

Cooking in spring

Roast Pepper and Pesto Pasta

Serves: 4
Cook time: 25 minutes

Feeling a little extravagant? Well, this recipe is for you. The ideal way to impress friends, this takes the usual pasta that’s been piling up in your student cupboard but puts a new twist on it, making it feel restaurant quality without breaking the bank or taking up too much time.

  • 6 roasted garlic cloves
  • 4 roasted red peppers
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 75g roughly chopped almonds
  • 50g parmesan, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 400g pasta
  • Basil leaves

You can find the method here.

Omelette

Serves: 1
Cook time: 10 minutes

Breakfast, dinner, or a light snack – eggs are great. But, when it comes to scrambled, boiled or fried, you often need a little more with them to make it a meal. That’s where the omelette steps in. Quick and easy to make, and very filling, this is the ideal food to eat when you want to curb hunger but don’t want to feel like a nap afterwards.

  • 2 large eggs
  • olive oil
  • 10g cheddar cheese

You can find the method here.

Chicken Couscous

Serves: 2
Cook time: 30 minutes

For something that feels like you’re eating at a restaurant that you can knock up in your own kitchen, this is ideal. It sounds and looks fancy, and while the ingredients below may seem daunting, it only takes half an hour, which is a lot less time than it takes for a takeaway to arrive.

For the chicken seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh coriander
  • 2 teaspoons chilli powder
  • 1 tablespoon tomato purée
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

For the chicken and vegetables

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 200g chicken thigh fillets
  • 150g broccoli

For the couscous

  • 1 red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 green pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
  • 4 spring onions
  • 200ml boiling water
  • 150g couscous
  • Zest and juice of ½ lime
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped coriander

You can find the method here.

Tortilla Pizza

Serves: 4
Cook time: 25 minutes

Fancy a pizza but don’t have the cash to fork out for a takeaway? Well, you’re in luck. This recipe helps to deliver that tasty hit without breaking the bank, while also being much healthier than the ones that get delivered to your door.

  • 4 tortillas
  • 1 tablespoon tomato puree
  • 1 ball mozzarella cheese or other cheese of choice
  • 1 handful of olives
  • 1 white or red onion
  • 1 chilli/jalapeño
  • 4 small tomatoes
  • ½ bell pepper of your choosing
  • ½ cup fresh basil (dried is fine but use much less)

You can find the method here.

 

Time for Dessert

Frozen Strawberry Trifle

Serves: 10
Cook time: 30 minutes (plus overnight freezing)

A sure-fire way to impress your mates, this is ideal for when you need something sweet but it’s too warm out for chocolate. Designed to keep multiple people happy, this is the ideal blend of sweet and cooling.

  • 200g strawberries
  • ½ tin sweetened condensed milk
  • 600ml double cream
  • 100ml fresh custard
  • 150g strawberry jam
  • 4 tablespoons sherry
  • 200g pack sponge fingers

You can find the method here.

Lemon Mug Cake

Serves: 4
Cook time: 15 minutes

Again, if you want dessert but can’t fork out for those pricey supermarket cakes, this quick and easy recipe will see to your needs. Just make sure you have a microwave to hand!

  • 190g lemon curd
  • 80g butter
  • 170g fresh ricotta
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
  • 2 eggs
  • 150g self-raising flour
  • Double cream, to serve

You can find the method here.

Ice Cream Muffin

Serves: 12
Cook time: 20 minutes

Another sweet and cooling dessert, if you’re looking to enjoy some tasty treats in your back garden this spring (and summer), these will have you covered.

  • 750ml strawberries and cream ice-cream
  • 225g self-raising flour
  • Chopped strawberries, to serve
  • Chocolate sprinkles, to serve

You can find the method here. 

And there you have it, 10 failsafe ways to create the ultimate university springtime meal plan. Whether you’re a passionate foodie or just starting out in the kitchen, Nido student homes offer the perfect place to cook up a storm and enjoy meals with your mates. To find out more about our student homes and where you can find them across the UK, visit the homepage.