Dorm Dining: Italian dinner for two
Photo by Grace Baines
Written by Grace Baines
Like so many others, I have occasionally found myself craving home cooked meals — or at least something better than ramen. One of the recipes I have really been missing is Italian-style homemade spaghetti and tomato sauce. So, I set out to find the new recipe a la dorm. This meal is great for one person to three, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. It could be perfect for that Netflix marathon night with your roommate.
Caprese Salad
Ingredients and Supplies
• Paring Knife
• (1) Plate
• (1) Small ball of fresh mozzarella
• (1) On the vine tomato
• Salt, pepper and ground basil to taste
Preparation
• With the paring knife, cut the stems out of the tomato by cutting at an inward angle in a circle around the stem. Carefully slice the tomato from stem to bottom into slices roughly 1-2 cm thick.
• Clean the knife and slice the mozzarella in the same fashion.
• Place the tomato and mozzarella onto a plate, alternating slices of each.
• Sprinkle salt, pepper and ground basil over the recipe to taste. I recommend 1 part salt to 2 parts pepper and basil.
• Enjoy this light appetizer while preparing the main course.
Fresh Tomato Sauce
Ingredients and Supplies
• (2) Large microwavable bowls
• Can Opener
• Paring Knife
• (1) Small container for scraps
• A colander
• (1) Fork
• 2 small tomatoes (on the vine)
• One 8 oz can of plain tomato sauce
• Salt, Pepper, and ground basil to taste
Preparation
• Using the paring knife, cut the stems out of the tomato by cutting in a angled circle around the stem. Place the stems into the scraps bowl and set aside. Cut a small “x” on the bottom of the tomato.
• Fill one of the large microwavable bowls with water and place in the microwave. Heat until boiling or near boiling. I used 3 ½ minutes, but that could depend on the microwave. When the water is at the correct temperature, place the two tomatoes into the water and continue to heat the water.
• Cook for 1 minute, then check the tomatoes to see if they are ready. The skin should be peeling off the tomato exposing the red-pink flesh. The tomatoes should be soft, but still holding its shape.
• Once the skins are barely clinging on, remove the bowl from the microwave — careful, it will be hot — and drain the tomatoes into the colander in a sink. Run cool water over the tomatoes to make them cool enough to touch. Then, begin to remove the skin and place it into the scrap bowl. The skin should easily come off and the tomatoes should be squishy in your hands.
• Place the newly skinned tomatoes into the other microwavable bowl. Using the fork, mash them until they are at the consistency you like your sauce. I like to leave a little bit of the chunkiness to add texture and bursts of flavor.
• Open up the 8 oz can of tomato sauce and pour in the desired amount. For one person, I suggest 1/3 to ½ of the can. For two people, use the whole can. Mix the fresh tomatoes and the sauce together with the fork. Add the salt, pepper and basil to taste.
• Place aside for now. After the spaghetti is done, you will reheat the sauce by putting it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stirring every 45 seconds.
Spaghetti
Ingredients and Preparation
• (1) Large microwavable bowl (bowl must be wide enough to fit the spaghetti noodles all the way in it)
• Colander
• (1) Fork
• (1) Plate
• 1-2 servings of angel hair spaghetti (one serving is a small fistful)
Preparation
• Take the angel hair spaghetti in two hands and carefully break it in half to shorten the noodles to microwavable sizes. You can split the spaghetti into a few groups to do this. Now set the prepared dry pasta aside.
• Fill the large microwavable bowl with enough water to completely cover the pasta. Bring the water to a boil or near boil in the microwave.
• Once heated, put the noodles into the water and cook for 1 minute. After the minute is up, stir the noodles with the fork, being sure to unstick any noodles from the bottom or sides of the bowl. Continue this process until the noodles have become al dente. You can check the noodles by removing a single noodle from the middle and checking texture. They should be soft and sticky, but not be falling apart in you fingers or too squishy.
• Once the noodles are done, drain them into the colander, leaving a very little bit of the pasta water in the bowl.
• Put the noodles onto a plate and set about reheating the sauce. When the sauce is properly warmed, carefully drizzle the extra pasta water over the noodles and then add the desired amount of sauce.
• Enjoy your Italian meal!
