Thanksgiving break has come and gone, and that means finals week is fast approaching. Food and meal preparation is probably the last thing on a studying student's mind. Still, hunger will eventually strike. And instead of going out to eat, stopping at the drive-through or getting take out, take the time to make a nutritious meal in around 30 minutes. After all, most students need to take periodic study breaks, so why not take an opportunity to make a good meal and take a study break at the same time? Exams are definitely stressful; studying for them can be nerve-wracking, and the brain will eventually get tired. Making good food to fuel the brain will help out with all the studying needed for finals.\nBefore popping that package of Easy Mac in the microwave, think about how much better homemade macaroni and cheese is. Remember those cooking utensils purchased at the beginning of the year? Put them to use! This recipe is for homemade mac 'n' cheese that can be made in the microwave, which means that this version is really easy, but tastes a whole lot better.
Easy Homemade Mac 'N' Cheese\n1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni\n1 cup American cheese\n1 (8-ounce) package Sharp Cheddar Cheese\n1/2 cup butter or margarine
Begin by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. Next cut butter, American and sharp cheddar cheese into squares for easy melting. Using shredded cheddar is fine, but American usually is not packaged shredded. Separate the butter and cheeses into two equal size portions. Begin with one of the butter and cheese portions, place in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on 50 percent power for seven minutes. Remove from microwave and stir well. Add second portion of butter and cheeses to melted mixture. Microwave an additional seven minutes on 50 percent power. Remove and stir well. Do not microwave on high -- it will burn the cheese or potentially explode and create a huge mess in the microwave. Pour cheese mixture over cooked macaroni and stir until noodles are coated with butter and cheese mixture. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving or top with crumbled crackers and place under broiler until crackers are golden brown.\nIf the macaroni and cheese alone is not satisfying enough, make it a side to a main dish of Baked Dijon Chicken with a side of steamed vegetables. Chicken is low in fat and the vegetables are a great source of vitamins.
Baked Dijon Chicken\n1/4 cup Dijon mustard\n1/4 cup Carnation Evaporated Fat Free Milk\n1/4 cup plain, dry bread crumbs\n1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese\n4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
Begin by preheating the oven to 475 degrees. Spray a medium-size baking dish with non-stick cook spray or, for easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Next, combine mustard and evaporated milk in a shallow bowl. A pie pan works great when dipping chicken into mixtures. Combine bread crumbs and cheese in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken into mustard mixture, coating both sides, then into bread crumb mixture. Place in prepared dish or on lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the center.
Steamed Vegetables\n12 ounces baby carrots, halved\n3 broccoli florets, cut into pieces, stalks removed\n2 cauliflower florets, cut into pieces\n2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted\n1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice\nSalt and pepper to taste\n1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Begin by placing the vegetables in a steamer above boiling water or place in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cover and steam the vegetables until they are fork tender, around 12 minutes. If using the microwave, microwave on high for about seven minutes, or again, until tender. Be careful when removing the plastic wrap. The steam inside the bowl can burn. Combine the melted butter, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Toss with steamed vegetables until evenly coated. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired. Any vegetables can be substituted or used in addition to the ones listed above.\nThese recipes create enough food for leftovers, but feel free to have friends over to enjoy good food and a break from studying. Soon finals will be over and all students can take time to enjoy the holiday break. For now, eat well and have fun in the kitchen. It really is not a scary place.
