When quarantine started back in March, everyone had to find a few hobbies to keep themselves busy. A popular one was baking and cooking. Below are some fun recipes we collected during that time, both sweet and savory, that you can try making with (or for) your family.
Sweets:
Quick & Easy Popsicles, Former Student Altea M.
Q: Do you enjoy making sweet treats or savory meals?
A: I usually make desserts, but occasionally I make savory meals, like when I help my mom with dinner.
Q: What is a really easy recipe that you enjoy making?
A: I have a brownie recipe that I make all the time that is amazing. A super easy recipe that I also like to make is blueberry popsicles which takes less than 5 minutes to prepare.
Q: When do you usually make this recipe?
A: Before quarantine, I would bake once every one or two weeks, usually brownies or cookies. Now I bake brownies less because I’m trying more complex recipes.
Ingredients:
- 680 grams of blueberries
- ½ cup of honey
- 1 lemon
Instructions:
- Juice the lemon.
- Put all the ingredients in a blender/food processor and mix well.
- Pour the mix into popsicle molds.
- Freeze 5-6 hours.
Peanut Butter Mug Cake, 10th Grader Marko G.
Q: Do you enjoy making sweet treats or savory meals?
A: I enjoy making sweets as they are easy and fun and really relaxing to eat.
Q: What is a really easy recipe that you enjoy making?
A: I really love to make strawberry cheesecake. It is quite easy and all you need is patience and the fridge. I also like mug cakes as they are delicious and only take ten minutes.
Q: When do you usually make this recipe?
A: After I workout or when I celebrate an important event. It makes everything far more special.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
- Whisk the oil, peanut butter, sugar, and egg yolk.
- Stir in the flour and baking powder gently.
- Whisk in the milk.
- Add the chocolate chips, if you wish.
- Microwave for a minute and a half or until the top starts to puff up.
Savory meals:
Avocado Toast, Former Student Jade M.
Q: Do you enjoy making sweet treats or savory meals?
A: I prefer making savory meals because I try to be healthy and often times the sweets I eat are fruits (natural and not processed)!
Q: What is a really easy recipe that you enjoy making?
A: A super easy recipe I make all the time (and will continue to make throughout university because it’s so easy) is mashed avocado on toast. I also love this recipe because you can make it so many different ways and it really fills you up.
Q: When do you usually make this recipe?
A: I make this at least twice a week (sometimes more) because you can really eat it for any meal. I’ve never looked at an online recipe for this (I just always knew how to make it). But here’s a link to a similar recipe that I use.
*I personally don’t put garlic, lime, olive oil, or coriander. Oh and also, you can use any bread for the toast. I’ll also sometimes boil or fry an egg to really complete the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 avocado
- 1 pinch dried chili flakes
- ½ grated garlic clove
- ½ lime, juiced
- Sea salt
- Olive oil
- 1 slice toasted sourdough
- A few sprigs of coriander, chopped
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mash the avocado with the chili flakes, garlic, lime juice, salt, and olive oil.
- Spread the mixture on sourdough (ideal).
- Garnish with coriander leaves.
Macaroni & Cheese, 7th Grader Matei A.
Q: Do you enjoy making sweet treats or savory meals?
A: I like making both. It depends on my mood.
Q: What is a really easy recipe that you enjoy making?
A: I really enjoy making mac ‘n’ cheese because it is easy and delicious.
Q: When do you usually make this recipe?
A: I make this recipe maybe once every two weeks.
Ingredients:
- 280 grams dried macaroni pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus an additional 1tsp to salt the water)
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil the macaroni according to the instructions on the packaging. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. Drain the macaroni once it’s done.
- Mix the flour, garlic, and salt in a bowl and set it aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the flour mixture and whisk until it’s incorporated.
- Cook until the mixture is slightly brown (around 1 minute).
- Add the milk and mix until smooth.
- Add the sour cream/Greek yogurt and whisk until smooth.
- Cook until the mixture thickens (3-5 minutes). Be careful that it doesn’t boil.
- Once the mixture is thick enough to stick to the back of the spatula, switch to low heat and add the cheese and mix until smooth.
- Add the macaroni and mix until the mixture is distributed evenly.
- Let the pasta cool for 3-5 minutes.
Pizza, 10th Grader Maria A.
Q: Do you enjoy making sweet treats or savory meals?
A: I actually enjoy making both! As long as I can find a balance between when I bake and when I cook, I’m set. Often times I do both at a time.
Q: What is a really easy recipe that you enjoy making?
A: Pizza! The dough is really easy to make and we use our regular oven to bake it. I love the variety in what we can add on it and it goes great for family dinners.
Q: When do you usually make this recipe?
A: Usually at night as it’s more of a way to unwind after the day. We have fun and we’re relaxed while making it so the evening’s always our go-to choice.
Ingredients:
- 30 grams olive oil, extra for greasing the pan
- 220 grams warm water
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 20g fresh yeast or 2g instant yeast
- 400 grams flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Grease a big bowl with olive oil and set it aside.
- Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a stand mixer’s bowl. Mix for 20 seconds on speed 2.
- Add flour, oil, and salt and knead for 2 minutes.
- Place the dough in the greased bowl and make it into a ball.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for an hour.
We hope these recipes can help take your mind off any worries you’ve been having lately. Have fun trying them out!
Tell us: Are there any recipes you’ve tried out during this crazy year?
Awesome work, Ana! All of these look so delicious, I don’t even know what to try first (probably Marko’s Peanut Butter Mug Cake).
Wow, I love this Ana! Can’t wait to try these new and delicious recipes!