Food for Life

Cooking in college…. Let’s be honest: it often ends up being quick oven food, noodles or takeaway. Over the year this section is going to do its best to give some ideas on how to avoid scurvy. We all know we should eat better, but it’s hard to know where to start. There’s never enough time and – even more to the point – there’s never enough money. Any recipes printed here are as simple and as cheap as possible and are well tasty! And if anyone has their own wildly delectable concoctions, email them on (vicepresident@nuimsu.com) and then I can spread the love and the vitamins to the masses.

In honour of World Vegetarian Day (1st October) the grand opening of Food for Life focuses on the humble vegetable.

Vegetable Stir-Fry:
1 Bell Pepper
50g Broccoli
50g White cabbage
One carrot chopped into batons (or, well, stick shapes)
2 to 5 garlic cloves (depending on your preference)
1 small onion
1 small tin of chickpeas
50g cashew nuts and/or sunflower seeds
Soy sauce

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan. Throw all the vegetables and nuts/seeds and cook over a high heat, stirring, for 2-3 minutes.
Season with soy sauce and pepper.
Serve with Noodles or Rice.

The classic stir-fry is easily adjusted to your own tastes. Possible other ingredients include cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, mangetout, chillies, and bean sprouts.
Food facts:
• Chillies stimulate the metabolism
• Ginger is good for boosting the immune system and reducing stress
• Broccoli is considered a super food because of the concentration on nutrients in it. Usually any strongly coloured vegetable indicates that it is high in nutrients (e.g. orange and red vegetables contain lots of carotene which the body uses to make vitamin A)
• Chickpeas are one of the best sources of protein for vegetarians and are a perfect addition to curries or salads.

Quick and Easy

Vegetarian Pizza:

Buy any own-brand margarita pizza (Just cheese and tomato sauce). Without the toppings the difference in price between the branded pizza and the cheaper alternative is not worth paying. Slice your own choice of vegetables and place them on top of the pizza. Cook as per pizza package instructions.

Some suggestions for toppings:

Fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, sweetcorn, pineapple, chilli, onions, spinach, olives.

Even frozen vegetables can be used in this way, like sweetcorn, which means you don’t have to worry about fresh food going off.