Looking For Easy Indian Meals That Can Be Prepared In College Dorm

Wow... that is a sweet parent.

Register with FedEx. They have something called fedex advantage program with discounts for frequent shippers. You can pretty much ship anything. Vegan stuff cannot spoil in the couple of days in unrefrigerated transit. Masala spiced foods would only improve in taste, as they continue to marinate in transit. The child can put it in the fridge, microwave and eat it until next shipment.

Aren't there vegan/vegetarian options in dorm meal plans? College children might soon discover that beer is vegan, and so are many salty munchies that go with beer.

 

What abt frozen Channa masala so that u can heat it and make a sandwich ?
Frozen parathas
Maggi noodles in microwave
Ready-made fried rice mix. I prepared rice in microwave also.

 

Try Instapot...recipes are one pot cooking.

 

Base Masalas for gravies, sides can be made n bottled. Or portioned n frozen. Veggies, meats (if non veg) can be cooked in the microwave along with these base masalas.

Similarly rice mixes can be made, cook the rice in the microwave n mix together.

Frozen paratas, roti, dosa. idli-eggs can be steamed / boiled / fried.

Alot of things can be cooked in a microwave. I had a friend who cooked only with a microwave for a full 6 months since they couldn't get a gas connection. N full fledged meals were made using microwave including doing 'tadka' then adding masala n veggies / meat. Bake cakes.

 

A) Pulav can be easily made in the microwave with a store bought pulav masala ( you can use store bought ginger garlic paste , peas and other frozen veggies )
B)puliyogare is another good option ( MTR puliyogare mix is pretty good). A good meal with yoghurt.
C) bread with pesto sauce and veggies
D) make chole or Rajma with canned beans or chick peas, tomato paste and readymade masala in the microwave
(good option but not for the roommate
)
You can freeze down food completely before you ship it with cold ice packs . I know of people sending frozen curries . idli's freeze really well, so do parathas. Our Indian chutneys freeze well too.

 

I personally tried all these...
1) idli / dosa - get idli/ dosa mix from stores or home made. Mix with water to form batter.
Get a microwave safe idli stand and I bought a microwave safe tawa with handle!!
2) frozen roti/ chapati
3) potatoes fry or curry, chop them, mix in a bowl with chilli powder salt and lil oil. Microwave for 4 min.
4) okra fry won't take more than 5 min.
5) dal fry but have to soak dal for 3-4 hrs for fully mashed consistency.
6) tea / coffee
7) oats porridge
8) poha with sweet or tadka one
9) can buy upma mix or make at home. Transfer to microwave safe bowl, with water. Upma will be ready. Even carrot or peas added in the mixture.
10) pappad - microwave high for 30 seconds.
11) Rice
12) bread toast
13) vermiselli upma
14) rice noodles or sevai
15) canned chana can be easily boiled in microwave
16) tomato onion no grind chutney but will take longer time
17) one min mug cakes
18) rasam with rasam powder and Tamarind paste, mix together. Microwave high for 3-4 min.
19) carrot beans and peas stir fry
20) tomato/ lemon/ coconut / pudina/ gongura rice can be easily prepared with ready mix.

You can buy electric griddle from Walmart
And an electric rice cooker.
With rice cooker can work wonders from steam veggies to making veg biryani.

 

Hi @abc00
Is your child going to college for the first time ?
The reason I ask is, dorms are extremely small.
If he/she is sharing the room it could be very tight. That is, unless you are paying for a special large room.

Do keep that in mind before packing too much food.
Also there wont be room for additional appliances.

 

Good point , also a roommate that is ok with all the aroma that comes with Indian cooking.

a

 

Exactly. The dorms normally have a common kitchen area where foods can be cooked, but not in the room.
We never know how other kids will react.

Besides your child is going to be extremely busy with studies. I call it the ocean waves - projects, quizzes, homework - no break. My kids preferred to have some meals with their peers working over a project or just for building friendships.

So please discuss with your child first. Otherwise your efforts may be wasted.