The best thing about being off the meal plan - besides not having to eat campus food - is the opportunity to explore new recipes and culinary ideas.
I've found that learning how to feed myself is empowering, making me feel a little more independent, less like the sheltered undergrad I am.
As I'm moving away from the simpler things, like macaroni and cheese, and on to cakes, homemade soups, etc., I've started to wonder if sometimes lessons from food can be lessons for life. So, I've perused my recipes and memory for moments in cooking and baking that speak to larger issues. Here's what I've found:
When making carrot cake, the batter simply isn't pretty. The neon orange of the carrots combines with the sugar, oil, flour and egg mix to create something like puke. However, just because the batter looks like a drunken freshman couldn't hold his 2 a.m. sandwich down doesn't mean it'll taste bad. It could very well taste great.
Lesson learned: When a situation looks bad, give it time and effort, and it can work to your advantage. Seniors take note: Life post-graduation may look messy now, but it'll turn out to be a piece of cake. I promise.
Tofu will soak up anything, so if you add too much soy sauce, you'll pay for it.
Lesson learned: Watch what you say to kids. They're sponges that can get pretty saucy. Heck, just watch what you say in public. The world is too small for rumors not to spread.
Don't confuse baking soda with baking powder. They both make cakes and muffins light, but using baking powder instead of baking soda will make your cakes acidic and off-colored.
Lesson learned: Pay attention now, or pay the price later.
Some recipes call for soured milk. Black mushy bananas make the best banana bread. Stale bread makes great French toast.
Lesson learned: Don't automatically dismiss someone or something because of a bad impression. See if you can use it somehow before throwing it away.
Discolored meat will make you sick. So will unnaturally smelly things.
Lesson learned: Sometimes, just trust your instincts.
Grocery stores are great sources of meat. Speaking of meat, you can totally find it without having a resident hunter to your gatherer.
Lesson learned: Who needs men?
Fish tends to have a nasty smell.
Lesson learned: Houseguests, like fish, stink after three days.
Raw potatoes can fix any seasoning mess. Too much salt? Raw potatoes will soak it up. Dish too spicy? Same deal.
Lesson learned: For every mistake, there is a solution. Sometimes the solution is unorthodox, so keep looking.
Ramen noodles aren't necessarily bad for you. What's unhealthy is the sodium content of the seasoning packet. So, make your own seasoning, add some fresh meats and veggies, and still live on the cheap.
Lesson learned: There are some skills from college that you can use in real life. Precious few, but they're there.
Vodka will make your pie crust flakier. Instead of using all water, use half water, half cold vodka. It'll leave no flavor, but provides an extra amount of moisture without making the crust tough.
Lesson learned: In rare cases, alcohol is the answer.
You can make pizza and soufflés in a crock-pot.
Lesson learned: Aim for versatility.
You don't have to cry while cutting onions. Use a sharp knife, keep the root end intact, and keep the exposed cuts away from you, chill the onion and you're good to go.
Lesson learned: Tears can be avoided if you have a plan.
Don't overcook the noodles. They get floppy.
Lesson learned: Guys, don't drink too much this weekend. Your girlfriends won't forgive you for anonymous hook-ups.
A few people might say that I saved the most important lesson for last, and perhaps I did.? However, I hope you can find a little something new in these observations. The next time you crack open a (cook) book, I hope that you'll notice some more life lessons mixed in with the ingredients. Best self-help is a well-made meal.
