15 Back to School Recipes & Tips for Better Tasting Dorm Food

As you may know, it's back to school season, and that means that ramen packages will be flying off the shelves in no time. This article checks out some great simple recipes in the spirit of back to school, but we think you'll like them too! Check out "15 Back to School Recipes & Tips for Better Tasting Dorm Food"

TOP ROW

• 1 Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake - Yammie's Noshery - Yeah, cake in mugs are kind of ridiculous, but when you're craving something sweet this peanut butter chocolate one should do the trick. 
• 2 Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave - They won't hold a candle to the ones on the stovetop, but might be better then the cold eggs sitting in the cafeteria
• 3 Overnight Oats - This is so easy to do, plus great for when you're on the go in the morning. 
• 5 Steam Broccoli in the Microwave - Sneak some veggies from the cafeteria and make something a little healthy as a snack or to add to microwave pasta. 

SECOND ROW

• 1 Make Instant Ramen Taste Better - Radical Possibility - If instant ramen is inevitable in college, you might as well switch it up every once and awhile. 
• 2 Grilled PB&J - Everyday Occasions - The easiest trick of them all! Grilling your PB&J is life changing. If you don't have a panini press at school, I've heard of people "grilling" it with their clothing iron. That's right. 
• 3 One Bowl Microwave Macaroni and Cheese - Minimal effort involved. 
• 4 Three-Ingredient Cereal Bars - Undressed Skeleton - Take your favorite cereal from the dining hall and use it to make these easy breakfast bars. 
• 5 "Roast" Garlic in the Microwave - Mhmm das right, you can even "roast" garlic if you want to live it up. 

BOTTOM ROW

• 1 Brew a single cup of coffee - Instructables - Because sometimes you just want one cup of coffee and it's like 2am and everything else, including coffee shops, are closed. 
• 2 Make Foamed Milk in a Microwave for Coffee - Because if you're going to go through all the trouble of making that single cup of coffee at 2am, you might as well make some milk foam for it too. 
• 3 Ramen Noodle Trail Mix - May Squared - This recipe techincally requires a stove, but you could just throw all the ingredients together into a bowl and call it a day. 
• 4 Make Polenta in the Microwave - Get fancy with your study group. 
• 5 Toast Nuts in the Microwave - Necessary snack item made better with a microwave. 

Related → College Eating: 5 Ways To Spice Up Cafeteria Food

Related → Our Readers' Best Tips For Cooking Real Meals in a Hotel Room

(Images: As Linked)

Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/back-to-school-recipes-tips-for-better-tasting-dorm-food-193941

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Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

This recipe takes a lot longer than the ones we've posted here previously, but we promise that it's worth it! Just take a look at that delicious bowl of soup below and tell us that's not worth waiting for! Check out "Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup"!

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Serves 6

For the soup:
Neutral cooking oil, such as canola or safflower
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
3 garlic cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Mexican-style chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sugar
2 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock, plus more for thinning if needed
1 (15-ounce) can yellow corn, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
2-3 pounds chicken thighs, skins removed (See Recipe Notes)
Heavy cream, to taste (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, optional

For serving:
Grated cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Tortilla chips
Cilantro

Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and jalapeño and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker. 

Add the corn, beans, and chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Cover and set on low for 6 to 7 hours (or high for 4 hours). Shred the cooked chicken using two forks (if using bone-in thighs, remove the chicken to shred; discard bones and return meat to the soup). Stir in a splash of heavy cream if desired. Season the soup with additional salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, to taste. 

Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and cilantro for garnish.

Recipe Notes

• You can use bone-in or boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I used bone-in for a rich, complex soup, but boneless are easy because you don't have to pull them out.
• This recipe can easily be doubled and frozen for another time. Transfer the cooled soup to a freezer-safe plastic bag labeled with recipe name and date. Press out excess air before sealing. Lay bags flat in a single layer in the freezer. (Once frozen, the bags can be stacked neatly.) To thaw, transfer to refrigerator overnight or set bag in a stockpot of warm water. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat; season to taste. 

(Images: Nealey Dozier)

Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/slow-cooker-recipe-chicken-enchilada-soup-recipes-from-the-kitchn-193675

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Dig This Trend: 7 Smartest Homework Spots

It's back to school season! After you've got your binders and backpacks, it's time to start thinking about the dreaded h-word: homework! Make sure your little ones have a good space to do their homework in, check out "Dig This Trend: 7 Smartest Homework Spots" for some tips!

Sharpen those No. 2 pencils and grab a three-ring binder — back-to-school season has arrived! To help prep your home for the school year, we’ve gathered 7 top study solutions from Zillow Digs.

Closet studier

Sliding shutter doors keep a messy desk out of sight with this innovative closet solution by Zillow Digs design firm CaliforniaClosets.

Productive pink

Bulletin boards clear off desk space while keeping track of permission slips and prom photos. Zillow Digs design firm Niche Interiors uses hot pink walls to ensure study sessions are lively and productive.

Man cave

Zillow Digs designer Sara Eizen creates a cool, boys-only sanctuary with a hidden chalkboard for keeping track of upcoming assignments.

Retro chic

An vintage architect’s easel provides a quaint homework space and complements Zillow Digs designer Thea Segal‘s retro motif.

Art deco glam

With a mirrored table, this petite homework space by Zillow Digs designer Annie Nesbit creates the illusion of space in a cozy corner. A table lamp offers warm lighting for late-night study sessions.

Ducks in a row

Need a homework area that doesn’t take over the room? This elongated countertop by Zillow Digs designer David Scott comfortably seats four at-home students with room for books!

World of possibilites

This kids’ bedroom from Zillow Digs contributor The Corcoran Group is a cartography teacher’s dream come true. A full-size world map encourages little minds to keep exploring, while built-in shelves offer hours of nose-in-book time.

Original Article Here: http://www.zillowblog.com/2013-08-14/dig-this-trend-7-smartest-homework-spots/

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Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs with Apricot-Miso Glaze

There's a million and one ways to cook chicken, but this week get ready to make it a million and two ways! This new recipe is highlighted with some interesting flavors to add, so check out "Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs with Apricot-Miso Glaze" below!

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Apricot-Miso Glaze

Serves 4 to 6

For the chicken:
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Salt
Vegetable oil

For the glaze:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large garlic clove, peeled and grated on a microplane (or crushed in a garlic press)
2 tablespoons white miso paste
2 tablespoons apricot jam
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon water

Place the chicken thighs in a bowl. Drizzle with a little oil and season with salt. Mix to coat each piece and set aside in the refrigerator.

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. While it is heating, make the glaze in a small saucepan. Warm the oil over medium heat and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until sizzling and fragrant. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently, and remove from heat.

Place the chicken thighs on the hot grill and let cook undisturbed until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip chicken and brush the tops with the warm glaze. Grill until browned on the second side. Flip, brush again with the glaze and grill for about one minute. Repeat two more times, so that each side has two coatings of glaze. Flip and grill for about one minute after the final glazing. Thighs should be slightly charred and cooked through to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

• This glaze would work equally well on other chicken cuts, such as drumsticks, breasts, and bone-in chicken thighs. Adjust the initial cooking time so that the chicken is almost cooked through before you brush on the glaze.
• Other types of miso paste, stone fruit jam and vinegar would be just as tasty. A couple ideas: yellow miso paste + peach jam + sherry vinegar, red miso paste + plum jam + red wine vinegar.

(Images: Anjali Prasertong)

Original Article Here: http://bit.ly/17vqYAd

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