Top tips

Double the fun

So there's another ready and waiting then...?

By 'double ' what I mean here is, cook more than one meal for yourself at a time.

Logic says, cook myself a meal, as in, just one meal for now. But it can work out much cheaper in the long run if you cook more for yourself at anyone time. And of course, if your flat mates in Halls, or even a few mates in your shared house are prepared to chip in a couple of pounds, you can all get a tasty, healthy meal for very little...and maybe more than one portion each. There'll be much more on here as the weeks roll on with specific help and tips.

But just stop for a minute. How much do you spend on bought sandwiches, whether from a shop or uni? Add that across a week - it's expensive isn't it? Making snadwiches for yourself is so much cheaper but - it's not so cool is it? Oh dear. We have an image problem. I can't be seen opening a pack-up can I, but I can be seen unpeeling the plastic top from a sandwich box. Well...that's up to you, I can't blow your nose for you but I can show you how to save money better spent elsewhere.

And you really like your fast food take outs, don't you? No, I mean you really like your fast food take outs, don't you? So have one then! A treat is not a big deal when you're working hard, deadlines are hideous and everything is just getting a bit much. They're only a problem when takeouts become the usual day to day. They are amazingly expensive for what you get and exactly how many chips - or put it another way - how much potato did you get with that burger? And how full did you feel for how long?

They'll continue to tempt you with student deals and a free whatever, but you'll still spend more than you ever get for free. Cook for yourself more than one meal at a time, store in the fridge or freezer for that day when you're late home, wet through because you missed the bus and want a hot meal inside ten minutes after walking through the door.

So twice the chilli, twice the spag bol etc.  Your freezer in Halls or even the shared flat will no doubt be small, but you can always just cover the second plated meal  with cling film, put in the fridge and reheat thoroughly the next day.  It will be cheaper and a win in the long run.

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Toxins, anyone..?

 

 

Here's one to think about...  Cooked rice.  Thought of it now as I was cooking a meal with leftover rice last night - I was busy and needed a quick fix.

Rice is quick to cook, not that difficult when you've had a few goes and relatively cheap.  Chilli, curry, savoury rice...versatile stuff, rice. But it can make you very, very ill if you take silly risks.

The trick is to cook just enough for that meal.  And if you are unsure in any way then cut your losses and throw what's left in the bin. Never, ever be tempted to eat leftover rice from the takeaway that has been left out all night at room temperature.  It will now come with a side order of toxins and if you're really lucky a couple of days  of vomiting and on the loo. Unlucky and it could be far, far worse.
Toxins and spores build up very quickly when cooked rice cools down - I personally would never eat a rice salad at a buffet, I have no idea how long it's been sat there.  Left over rice from a meal can be cooled quickly and stored in a fridge in an airtight container, or put into a freezer bag and in the freezer.  My rice last night was a freezer job, reheated thoroughly, not just defrosted.  If you leave rice out for hours at room temperature and then freeze, no amount of cooking/reheating will get rid of the toxins now enjoying a spot of warmth. Still got some left over?  Bin it now!

Of course, not everyone in your student house maybe as clean and careful as you and maybe rice in the fridge, airtight or not, needs a rethink. That's up to you.  All I'm saying is be careful and if you are unsure in any way - bin it and be safe.