By Nicole Abou-abdallah, Epigram Food Online Editor

For those who have just started university, or just haven’t figured out how to work the hob, cooking can be a challenging and mind-boggling experience. From setting off the fire alarm in your block at 3am after burning your post-night-out garlic bread, to checking your chicken five times as you thought you saw a pink tinge. Cooking has once knocked us down

But why do we let ourselves be defeated by our own need for survival? Why do we resort to the ‘easy way out’? Why has Deliveroo become our first number on speed dial?

Whether you are in self-catered halls, a catered residence, or simply a ‘butter-fingers’ when it comes to duty in the kitchen, take a note of these cooking hacks that could ultimately get you roasting, rather than roasted by your mates.

Catered hunger? Look no further!

Yes, surprisingly, this bit if for those who even have someone to cook for them during the week! This does not mean that you are going to be entirely spoon fed. In lots of residences in Bristol, catering excludes Sunday evenings, meaning you are just as doomed as the rest of us. A lack of kitchen facilities may prove a nightmare when it comes to cooking.

Hob-less pasta:

Boil a full kettle of water and pour the water into a large, microwave-proof bowl. Add pasta to bowl and place a plate on top as a lid.
Set microwave to spin for 8-9 mins (depending on pasta type) and drain pasta.
Here you can add sauces such as pesto, tomato, and a sprinkle of parmesan for flavour
Why not try this with other boiled carbohydrates such as rice, or noodles!

Photo by Pixzolo Photography / Unsplash

Avoid the poison- you don’t want to miss your lectures!

It can be difficult to tell where the odd smell in your fridge is coming from. It could be that chicken that you defrosted from April, or those eggs that have passed their use-by date. Learn these tricks to make sure that the last thing you smell isn’t your head down the toilet.

A not so ‘good egg’:

Unsure if your box of six of eggs are still good to eat? Grab a bowl and fill it up with cold water. Gently place the suspicious eggs in the bowl. If it sinks, it’s good to eat! If it is a floater, it’s a binner!

Don’t chicken out:

You have just found a nice roasted chicken breast recipe online, seasoned it with your heart, and whacked it in the oven. The time is supposed to be up, but you are unsure if it is cooked on the inside. You don’t want to cut it open as you want to post it on the gram and that would ruin your aesthetic.
Use a clean sharp knife, and pierce into the breast all the way through to the core. Draw out your knife and press gently near the hole. The juices that ooze out of the pierce should run clear with no colour. If the juices are slightly pink, put the breast back in the oven, and re-pierce in a different area after five minutes.

The price is ripe:

Whether you get your fruit from Saino’s Clifton down, or the grocers around the corner, we all want to make sure we get the best for our money. This means getting the freshest fruit, that will last longer.

1. Pineapple: Pluck a leaf from the top of the pineapple. If there is not much resistance to remove the leaf, this means the pineapple is ready to eat!
2. Watermelon: Hold the watermelon to your ear and tap on it with your hand. The hollower the sound it resonates, the sweeter the fruit.
3. Avocado: Peel back the cap (stem) of the avocado. If it comes off quite easily, and a nice green colour is revealed underneath, you’ve got a great companion for your toast and eggs!

Photo by Fancycrave / Unsplash

Fun-ky fresh:

Sometimes, even the use-by date manages to cheat you, and you are left with soggy salad leaves that you only bought two days ago. Not only do you feel used for trying to eat healthily, but also finessed by the people who promised you otherwise. Use these nifty tricks the next time you buy fruit and veg to guarantee your dignity.

1. Salad leaves: Fold one square of kitchen roll in half, then in half again. Place the kitchen roll in the open packet of salad leaves. This will absorb the moisture and prevent soggy leaves developing. If the kitchen roll starts to become damp, replace as needed.
2. Meal prep fruit: If you have cut fruit such as apples or pears into chunks for another day, they can turn brown in a matter of hours. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top of the fruit to prevent this happening, whilst also adding some exciting flavour.
3. Mouldy berries: As crazy as it sounds, avoid washing any types of berries right until the point before eating them. Moisture on the berries promote growth of mould.

Make sure you use these handy tips and tricks the next time you are challenged in the kitchen!

Featured image: Unsplash/Katie Smith