Being a newcomer in a foreign land can be tough – early morning lectures, late-night parties, battles over who will wash the pan and being away from the comfort of home for the first time. And what’s worse, when you’re absolutely starving and on a tight budget! Even for students who can cook at home, making healthy and filling meals at college with limited equipment and raw material can be daunting. Whether you’re a carb-lover, vegan or carnivore, you’ll be sure to find at least something delicious in our guide of the top recipes for international students. Read On…

1. VEGETABLE AND BEAN CHILLI

This budget-friendly recipe is packed full of fiber and protein, and chili is an excellent meal for the hungry vegetarian student. You can make it in a bulk quantity and share with your roommates, or stock up in the fridge for meals all week long. Pair it with a papad or roti for the ultimate grub. The best part is, it only requires one big pot and a spoon for stirring

2. HALLOUMI BURGERS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES

A vegetarian’s delight and perfect for a barbeque. These can be simply cooked on the stove in your kitchen. The sweet potato fries are baked in the oven. To cook halloumi you might require a griddle pan but if not available an ordinary frying pan will do the trick. These burgers are loved by all, whether you’ve got friends visiting to watch a cricket match or you’re are being lazy to cook a proper dinner, these burgers will do their job. If you’re vegetarian then substitute chicken or meat for hearty vegetables such as aubergines and mushrooms and increase the flavour by stuffing with different varieties of cheeses.

3. SPINACH, SWEET POTATO AND LENTIL DAL/MEAT

This vegan dish packs a punch with a rainbow of colors and a mix of spices. The ingredients list is a bit long, but the vegetables are pretty reasonable but require little bit preparation. If you can’t afford all the spices, try and find a combo pack or something. And yummy make-ahead recipe.Use Olive oil or Sesame oil to give dishes a nutty, fragrant flavour. You may also add meat to the dish for your carnivore fetishes.

4. BOILED POTATO, CHICKPEA AND RICE

This is a simple and great vegan recipe, when you get back home after a long tiring day of lectures and delicious enough to entertain your Taste buds. Combine this with chickpeas. eggs and boiled potatoes for the nutritional dose. Don’t forget to add lemon juice – that’ll add an extra zing to the dish and really make it sing! Leafy greens such as spinach and coriander are excellent when seasoned and softened for a few minutes in a pan and are a great source of iron. Add a dash of rice and take the taste game a few notches higher!

5. MARMITE SPAGHETTI

The list would be incomplete without adding this king of quick pasta recipes. Especially for those of us who are madly in love with its salty, tangy flavour this is a match made in heaven. Halfway through a powerpoint presentation at 10pm with a deadline fluttering in your brain, take 15 minutes out to whip up a big bowl of Marmite spaghetti and garnish it with strong hard cheese, crushed garlic and fresh herbs and tantalize your taste buds!

6. SPINACH RICOTTA PASTA

Pasta dishes are quick, easy and filling often the staple of the new student, but mostly end up served in a thick tangy tomato sauce. They too are very yummy but it’s nice to switch it up a bit and give it a twist. An indulging creamy, comforting, yet an absolute delight to make, this recipe is a sure shot winner. It may not the healthiest dish, but its deliciousness excuses the calories and sometimes one should divulge in calories. Add olives and veggies to get the delectable taste your heart desires!

7. BAKED CHICKEN WINGS

Sometimes when you are hosting a party you need to make a big batch of delicious food to feed a group of friends. These Baked Chicken Wings can be prepared the night before and chucked in the refrigerator, then warmed in the oven at the last minute. Serve with salad and lots of tissues for the inevitable sticky fingers. Admit it – nothing is better than crispy chicken wings for when those hunger pangs strike!

8. SMOKED VEGETABLE RICE

Fish, meats and chicken can often be expensive and sort of a luxury that lots of students won’t be able to afford at all times. Fret Not! With smoked rice you don’t have to stretch your budget at all. You just need a pressure cooker and few veggies and rice and it’s done. Pair it with curd or chutney for the ultimate taste!

9. SCHEZWAN-STYLE PORK AND GREEN BEAN STIR-FRY

This recipe is simple enough that you don’t spend have slaving over the cooker. Try eating with chopsticks for extra flair. Stir fry is loved by all and with a combination of boiled rice it tastes all the more great. It’s healthy and a delight to eat. Better yet, add some red beans along for some finger lickin’ goodness!

10. THE PERFECT OMELETTE

Omelets are the best way to utilize any leftover bits and pieces left in the refrigerator at the end of the day. Master the art of making an omelet, and never go hungry again. Eggs, cheese and veggies form a great combination. Even if you don’t have energy to cook anything just two pieces of toasted bread and an omelet will make your meal.

Have any other quick fixes to share when it comes to satiating your food pangs? Let us know in the comment box below. Happy Feasting!