Today, most hostels have functioning kitchen appliances alongside a fair selection of pots and pans - everything you need to prepare a decent meal. If you're looking for some easy-to-make food that doesn't break the bank (and isn't the typical combination of pasta and sauce!), this article is for you.
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How To Be Successful at Hostel Cooking
If this is your first time planning to cook in a hostel or you haven't had much luck in the past, here are a couple of tips to help you.
1. Keep an Eye on Perishables
Even though you may be staying for a short time, keep in mind how long it takes for certain foods to spoil, especially if you plan to take some with you to your next destination. You don't want food going off and starting to smell in your backpack on a hot day while you're on the bus.
2. Plan your Grocery Shopping
Concerning the previous tip, always plan how much food you need. Consider how long you plan to stay in a hostel. If you aren't taking food with you to your next destination, you also don't want to have to throw any food away when it's time to move on.
Also, keep in mind that you may want to choose food that is easy to eat on the go. If you are sightseeing, you will need something you can carry with you, such as sandwiches.
3. Include Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables are usually a cheap option, and you can find them anywhere you go. Even sautéed onions or garlic can serve as a substitute for spices if you don't have any.
4. Don't Over-Complicate Things
Recipes that require a million different ingredients are not a good choice. When you're cooking in a hostel, keep it simple and make one-pot or one-pan dishes.
5. Don't Forget about Proteins and Dairy
Often, people choose plain rice or pasta with sauce because it is easy to make. Don't forget about proteins from meat, fish, tofu, beans, nuts, and other sources. Additionally, consider incorporating dairy products into your diet, such as various types of cheese. It will keep you full for longer.
The bottom line: keep your dishes colorful. The unwritten rule is to have at least three colors on your plate.
6. Carry Some of Your Own Equipment
You can carry small necessities, such as a fold-up knife or a small non-stick skillet, and possibly food containers. This will make your life easier in case the hostel kitchen is not well-equipped.
7. Carry Some of the Basic Ingredients, Too
You can always carry some of the things that are light and don't take too much space-for example, oil, salt, rice, pasta, etc.
8. Cook More Than You Need
Having leftovers from one day to the next can be great when you are staying in a hostel. It can save you time from having to cook every single day.
9. Cook During the Off-Hours
When it's time to prepare lunch or dinner, the kitchen can become crowded. It can be nerve-racking when cooking in a crowded kitchen. You can avoid the crowd if you cook before or after a busy time. When cooking in a hostel kitchen, remember to always clean up after yourself.
10. Always Check the Kitchen "Situation" in a Hostel Before You Travel
You should always call or ask online to find out what the situation is - do they even have a kitchen? What do they offer?
Do they have any available ingredients, such as spices? What cooking equipment and dishes do they have? For example, do they have a mini rice cooker that would make cooking rice easier?
Three Easy Recipes
1. Vegetable Stir-Fry on Rice
Cooking veggies is always a good and healthy choice. What is excellent about vegetables is that you can play with various combinations to satisfy different tastes. When you serve it over cooked rice, it will provide you with plenty of nutrients to keep you full for a long time.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- ½ large red onion - chopped
- 3 whole garlic cloves - minced
- 1 whole red bell pepper - chopped
- 2 zucchinis - cut into medium wedges
- 1 head of broccoli - cut into florets
- ½ cup of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon of chili flakes
- Cooked rice for serving
Directions
Prepare the rice
- Rinse the rice for about 20 seconds under cold water.
- Measure the water - for one cup of rice, you need two cups of water; for two cups of rice, you need four cups of water, and so on.
- Pour the water into a pot and bring to a boil.
- Then, add the rice and a little bit of salt.
- Reduce the heat, and bring the rice and water to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the pot with the lid and cook on low heat for approximately 18 to 20 minutes (or 30 minutes if cooking brown rice).
Prepare the vegetables
- Prepare all the veggies (chop onion and pepper, mince the garlic, and cut zucchinis and broccoli).
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Then, pour in the oil, and once it is hot, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and zucchini, along with chili flakes and soy sauce.
- Stir everything for about two to three minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.
- Then, add the broccoli and cook for an additional couple of minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If zucchinis are soft and broccoli is done (when you can stab it with a fork), then the vegetables are ready.
- Serve with rice and garnish with sesame seeds.
Related: Cheap and Healthy Meals To Cook Anywhere
2. Simple Chicken Salad
Chicken is always a great choice, whether you are cooking at home or in a hostel. It is simple and easy to prepare, and it can be combined with a variety of different ingredients.
Also, it is an affordable and delicious source of protein. You can make a classic chicken salad and eat it plain. Alternatively, you can make a chicken salad and incorporate it into other dishes, such as a tortilla, pasta, rice, or even just simple bread.
Another plus is that you can find chicken anywhere in the world, whether fresh or frozen. Chicken is a healthy choice, especially when boiled.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of chicken breast - diced
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- Fresh lettuce
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon of lemon juice
- ½ cup of celery - finely chopped
- ¼ cup of almonds (optional)
Directions
Cook the chicken
- Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite-size pieces.
- Take a pot, pour in water, and bring it to a simmer (make sure it is not boiling too high, as the chicken might become a little tough).
- Then, cook for about 10 minutes.
- Remove it from the water and place it in a bowl.
- Let it cool down.
- When the chicken is cooled down, add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
See also: My Best Bites in Sweden
3. Mushroom Risotto
When you're on a budget, especially if you're cooking in a hostel, rice is an obvious choice. However, you don't have to eat plain rice. You can add a touch of flavor and create a delicious risotto.
With a couple more ingredients, you can have a dish that is not only cheap but also delicious and filling. Here is a recipe for a risotto with button mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 10 button mushrooms - finely sliced
- 400g of rice
- 1 cup of white wine - dry
- 2 teaspoon of olive oil
- 1 liter of vegetable stock
- 100g of parmesan or pecorino cheese - grated
- 1 onion - finely chopped
Directions
- Take a saucepan, heat it to medium, and add the oil and chopped onion. Cook them until they crystallize.
- Add the rice and stir well until it is coated with oil.
- Add the white wine.
- Then, add the vegetable stock slowly, ⅓ at a time.
- Mix occasionally (to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan) for about 15 minutes.
- When the rice is over half-cooked, add the sliced mushrooms and stir well.
- Once the rice is cooked, take the pan from the heat and mix in the grated cheese.
