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Collegiate Cooking Appliances and Food Finds for Freshmen

Here are my picks and simple solutions for the college cook-in-training, a bit unfamiliar to the catering side of the kitchen.
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Pots, pans and plates are essential when no longer living with one's parents.

While first-time grocery shopping for oneself can be overwhelming (or liberating), preparing meals is another obstacle altogether. Although many freshmen live on dining hall dishes, cereal, ramen noodles and by dialing delivery, the truth is: it doesn't have to be that way.

Here are my picks and simple solutions for the college cook-in-training, a bit unfamiliar to the catering side of the kitchen:

Collegiate Cooking Appliances and Food Finds for Freshmen
TopChips Chips Maker Set of 2 Trays + Mandolin Set(01 of05)
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Instead of grabbing a bag of greasy and fried chips to nosh on during the big game, it's almost effortless to opt for a healthier and homemade alternative. Make crispy fruit or vegetable chips in minutes by using a mandoline to slice produce evenly. Placing slices on the tray and into the microwave to make delicious potato, sweet potato, apple, carrot, pear and/or mango chips is as easy as.... well, far less difficult than Organic Chemistry!TopChips Chips Maker sets are available on Mastrad.us ($35)
Cuisinart® Smart Stick® Hand Blender(02 of05)
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Making pancakes for roommates sounds like a fantastic idea, until the reality of mixing bulky batter comes into play. With a hand blender, save exercising arm muscles for the gym. Among the many budget-friendly and frustration-saving items available on BigKitchen.com, this stick blender allows students to stir ingredients safely within pots, pitchers, bowls or the clear plastic beaker that comes with it. A one-touch control miraculously mixes cake batter, cocktails, smoothies and soups in seconds. Roommates, classmates and the hottie next door will be convinced they know a culinary master.The Cuisinart® Smart Stick® Hand Blender is available at BigKitchen.com ($29.99)
GoPicnic(03 of05)
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Freshmen dining halls, step aside. GoPicnic, ready-to-eat meals, recently launched a monthly subscription program with dorm delivery - no need for a campus meal plan or a rolodex of pizza places. Perfect for pupils who despise food prep or have no time at all to assemble a lunch: all meals are pre-packaged, contain no artificial flavors or colors and no trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG. Counting calories? Each meal contains 500 calories or less.Monthly meal deliveries are available at GoPicnic.com ($26.99/six meals per month)
Ice Pop Molds(04 of05)
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Summer calls for ice cream and ice pops, but the multitude of grocery store options can't compare to custom-made flavors. With two ways to enjoy: on the popsicle or directly from the mold as a push pop, the crave-able creations are endless. Try a grape juice pop with Sun-Maid raisins or mix and match fruit juices with various berries.Ice Pop Molds- Set of 2 is available on Mastrad.us ($11.99)
Strawberry Bliss Smoothie(05 of05)
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It's good to give one's liver (and blender) a break from alcohol. Instead of mixing cocktails, try a simple smoothie to keep cool - made with three ingredients in three easy steps.Ingredients:·1 cup frozen sliced strawberries ·1/2 cup apple juice ·1/4 cup Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Low-fatDirections:·Place strawberries, apple juice and Coffee-mate in blender·Cover blender·Blend until smoothCoffee-mate Natural Bliss is available in the dairy aisle of grocery stores nationwide and comes in sweet cream, vanilla, caramel and low-fat vanilla ($2.69/16 oz. bottle)

What items of yours are/were vital for cooking in college?

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