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Adulting Resources: Cooking

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One Pot One Portion

100 simple, comforting, and special one-pot recipes that yield the perfect single serving for people who cook, eat, or live alone and want to eat well. 

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Cooking in Real Life

100 recipes that are cook-pleasing and crowd-pleasing and written with the shopper, chopper, and dish-doer in mind. Cooking in Real Life is full of recipes that are inventive but not overly complicated, that use familiar ingredients but encourage us to do things a little bit differently. They are designed to be low-effort, practical, and high-reward. 

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PlantYou: Scrappy Cooking

Save money, reduce food waste, and eat healthier than you ever have before. The cookbook is packed with over 150+ whole-food, plant-based recipes that show the reader how to make the most of the food they have in their fridge and pantry with easy and approachable vegan recipes anyone can make. 

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5 Ingredients Mediterranean

 With over 125 utterly delicious, easy-to-follow recipes, it's all about making everyday cooking super-exciting, with minimal fuss. You'll find recipes to empower you to make incredibly delicious food, but without copious amounts of ingredients, long shopping lists or loads of cleaning up.

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The "I Don't Want to Cook" Book

Get away with the bare minimum while still getting food on the table with these 100 quick and easy recipes that require minimal prep, little-to-no planning, and zero extra trips to the grocery store.

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Recipes Every College Student Should Know

This must-have pocket guide will help students make and eat healthy snacks, meals, and other tasty bites. Discover quick breakfasts to help you make it to class on time, backpack-friendly lunches, study break snacks, and of course an infallible recipe for microwave mug cake. 

Search for more cookbooks available from the library.

Watch streaming videos and find recipes from around the world from the library database, A - Z World Food.

Streaming Videos

Cooking Demonstration: Stir-Frying

Stir-Frying from World Trade Press on Vimeo.

Video Transcript

Stir frying is a technique in which food is cooked by being stirred in a small amount of oil over high heat. The technique can be used to fry vegetables, meat, or anything else you choose. To make a vegetable stir-fry, start by heating cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add aromatics such as minced garlic or onion and allow to cook until fragrant. Then add one vegetable at a time, starting with those that take the longest to cook. For example, vegetables such as carrots take longer to cook than vegetables such as snow peas. As with the onions and garlic, make sure to keep the vegetables moving. When the vegetables are cooked to your preferred doneness, add more seasoning or flavored sauce. Stir fry briefly to allow flavors to combine. Then plate, garnish, and serve.

Streaming Videos

Food Preparation - Smoothies

Smoothies from World Trade Press on Vimeo.

Video Transcript

Smoothies are a delicious and convenient way to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. They can be enjoyed on the go, and the sweetness of the fruit dominates, so they’re perfect for people who have a hard time eating their vegetables. Smoothies can be made by blending up any combination of fruits and vegetables, but it’s best to follow a few guidelines for best results. Here’s how to make a smoothie. Begin with a liquid base. You’ll need liquid to get the solids to blend. Try fresh fruit juices, yogurt or kefir, unsweetened coconut water, or a nut milk. Or just use ice for a thicker smoothie with a lighter flavor. Add your liquid ingredients to the blender first. Then choose some fruits. Mix and match to create your desired flavor profile. Chop up your fruits so that they blend well, and add just a little bit at a time. Try frozen fruit for a thicker consistency or to enjoy fruits that are not in season. Next, add greens. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale are good choices, as their flavors mix well with fruit. Add about a third as much vegetable as fruit, chopped or ripped into smallish pieces, and blend. To make your smoothie more filling, add some protein in the form of Greek yogurt, silken tofu, low-fat cottage cheese, or even nut butter. Chop up an avocado for some added creaminess. Blend in some ginger for its characteristic bite. Add more liquid as needed to make your smoothie reach your desired consistency. Then pour it into a glass and enjoy! It’s that simple. Here are some flavor combinations to get you started.