You will begin reading as an inexperienced and uncertain freshman, but end as a well-seasoned and confident, graduating senior who is ready to explore the larger world of food outside of your college campus.

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE COOKBOOK

For some, surviving college is contingent on their ability to time manage, or prioritize academics over extracurricular activities, or even their ability to sleep through a raving party just outside their bedroom door. For me, the ability to cook was what kept me afloat during
my four years of undergrad, as well as some of my friends who were completely clueless when it came to anything in the kitchen. 

The inspiration for this cookbook largely stemmed from witnessing friends struggle to cook for themselves, whether it was from lack of knowledge, skill, time, or transportation to the grocery store. Being able to whip up some guacamole to munch on during a late night exam prep or make homemade chicken soup that could be frozen for future dinners to ward off a cold, to concocting a feast that brought a big group of friends together to celebrate a 21st birthday, all made it easier for me to stay healthy, stay full, and avoid the aimless emptying of my bank account on expensive takeout. 

Traditional cookbooks assume you have all the knowledge required to tackle the recipes it holds.

The goal of this cookbook is unlike that of a traditional cookbook. This cookbook is more of a survival guide for the completely clueless, all the way through the very experienced, college cooks. Its purpose is to first, familiarize you with a college kitchen so you are able to feed yourself for the latter 3 years of college, and then introduce you to all the food-based adventures that are typically experienced in each respective year of undergrad. 

Sick Remedies (Freshman Year): During freshman year, I cannot even begin to count the amount of times I called home, or texted, emailed, or facebooked my Mom questions about basic, day-to-day life things that I had no idea how to do. This section is full of these types of questions with answers to go along with them so you don’t have to call home and hear, “Seriously, have I taught you nothing?”

Utensils (The In-Between): Just like when your Dad asked you to bring him a tool that you had no idea what it looked like, a lot of college students haven’t encountered various tools found in a kitchen. This section contains images of every essential kitchen tool you might need to cook in college and tackle the recipes in this cookbook.

Kitchen Lingo (The In-Between): Basic kitchen lingo that is commonly used in recipes to use as a reference.

Pantry Items (The In-Between): Things you should always have in your kitchen and that are most commonly used in recipes throughout this cookbook.

Cooking 101 (The In-Between): There are so many different ways that you can prepare a single ingredient it’s kind of obnoxious to be honest. In this section, you’ll find cooking basics that show you step-by-step how to prepare every veggie you have ever dreamed of in every way imaginable.

Salads (Sophomore Year): Found in a section titled, “What to eat during finals,” salads are one of the best things you can bring with you to the library if you don’t have time to eat at home. Quick and easy to make, and fit in your backpack to go

Pork Lo Mein (Sophomore Year): Okay people, let’s try to be healthy for a week! If a student was looking for some healthier options, they would find them here in the “New Year’s Resolution Foods” section.

Photograph of the vegetables, though looking appetizing and colorful, is meant to provide further visual instruction on how the ingredients should appear when prepared properly.

The “Mise En Place” portion of the instructions only appear in early sections of the cookbook. Assuming as a Sophomore you’ve just gotten your own kitchen for the first time and are unfamiliar with how to tackle a recipe efficiently. As the cookbook progresses, the need for this thorough explanation on how to prepare ingredients becomes unnecessary.

Drinks & Hangover Cures (Junior Year): An occasion to celebrate, which usually start during junior year, is a friend’s 21st birthday. This means drinking. Not only are there good drink recipes included in this section, but also cures for the hangover you’ll inevitably have the next morning.

Mrs. Darin’s Baked Penne (Junior Year): Recipes that make a lot of food and so can be eaten multiple times throughout the week are found in the section, “Dinner for a Week”. However, recipes that make enough for one person for a week are also good ones to share with friends and roommates.

Bruschetta (Junior Year): Many college students opt to study abroad, typically during their junior year. It’s a great opportunity to experience new cultures, and what better way to share some of your experience with friends and family back home than with a recipe. Included are some great recipes I learned abroad in Italy, and also some recipes from friends who studied in Spain, Australia, and Greece.

Balsamic Bacon Tomato Spaghetti (Senior Year): By the time one has reached the Senior Year section of this cookbook, the reader should be confident in their ability to provide meals for themselves and living on their own, so what’s helpful moving forward? For starters, recipes to impress a date with. Recipes in this section are sophisticated in both taste and complexity, and are intended to be mastered after graduation.