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Keeping College Kids Cooking

By Micah Cheek

It’s time for parents to prepare their kids for college, and kitchenware has an important place in keeping students fed and happy.

College housing is notoriously persnickety about what kinds of appliances are allowed inside. One major college forbids the use of all of the following for use inside a dorm room: Coffee makers, hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, popcorn poppers and any other electrical appliance with a heating element. This leaves students with only a microwave if they don’t want to use a hall kitchen. Luckily, the microwave doesn’t have to limit a student to Hot Pockets. Silicone and plastic steamers and microwave containers like those from Lekue make it easy to steam vegetables, cook eggs and even boil pasta using only the microwave. For more information, visit www.lekueusa.com.

Approved appliances can be used in hall kitchens, and having a stovetop or an oven available opens up lots of options. Chef Will Brown from Atlanta, Georgia recommends some basic tools to get the best out of a kitchen when pressed for time and space. Having one appliance that can complete a number of tasks is a big help. Brown recommends a pressure cooker with some smart technology to make things easier. “You’re able to make three to four meals in minutes. It measures everything for you. You put it in the pot and it weighs it and sets the time for you,” says Brown. The new Electric Pressure Cooker from T-fal is designed to function as a versatile and easy-to-use tool in the home kitchen. The pressure cooker has 12 automatic functions, including Rice, Oatmeal, Slow Cook, Reheat, Soup, Baking, Yogurt, Baby Food, Brown, Pressure Cook and DIY. This multicooker has a delayed start and is an even easier alternative to stovetop pressure cooking, and carries a suggested retail price of $99.99. For more information, visit www.t-falusa.com. Remember to check colleges’ guidelines, because some schools allow more or different small electrics than others.

Thick-walled aluminum pans are a great pick for everyday searing and frying, and the light weight can make it easier for students to use and store. “Cast aluminum is not that heavy, and you still get that even distribution,” says Brown. Nordicware has nonstick-coated cast aluminum saute skillets in both eight and 10 inch sizes with suggested retail prices ranging from $60 to $80. For more information, visit www.nordicware.com.

Chef Brown also recommends outfitting a basic set of flavoring options. “Have a base of garlic powder, onion powder and oregano; those always make the meal taste great,” says Brown. “Then make it into your own. Some people like green onion — you can use it in anything.”