This is a very simple and nutritious meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. The most time consuming part would be cutting all the vegetables, but it is not really that difficult. I think it can be difficult to maintain a balanced diet when living in a dorm because of the lack of fridge space as well as access to cooking utilities and fresh foods. The biggest thing that could be challenging is getting plenty of protein as well as vegetables. This recipe has veggies as well as canned chicken which is a good source of protein, it is also relatively inexpensive for someone on a budget as well. For a vegetarian option you could substitute the chicken for beans so this dish is very versatile.
If you are preparing this recipe in a dorm you will only need a knife, cutting board and microwavable dish as well as a microwave. I would suggest covering the peppers, onions, and microwaving them for a bit before adding the chicken, so the chicken doesn't dry out. Since space is limited in a dorm room I would suggest getting the veggies all prepped and ready to go before putting anything together. If you would like softer tortilla don't microwave first before adding the filling. Also if a stove or toaster oven is available to you the quesadilla tastes much better toasted or fried in a skillet. An air fryer could be a better option as well taste wise.
The salsa turned out amazing but I did less onions and diced them very small (personal preference); depending on the size, a half of an onion can be a lot. Also the salsa tastes better if it sits for a bit so making it ahead of time wouldn't hurt. Another tip is to only use the leaves on the cilantro and remove the stems. The nice part about this recipe is there is a lot of salsa which can easily be stored in the fridge and eaten as a snack with chips or on top of nachos, which are both easy finger foods when living in a dorm.
Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo) Recipe
Prep time: 6 minutes
Yield: Makes 3 to 4 cups of salsa
Ingredients
· 2 to 3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (1 to 1 1/2 pounds), stems removed
· 1/2 red onion (or a little less depending on preferences)
· 2 serrano chilis or 1 jalapeño chili (stems, ribs, seeds removed), less or more to taste
· Juice of one lime
· 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (take the stems out before chopping)
· Salt and pepper to taste
· Pinch dried oregano (crumble in your fingers before adding), more to taste
· Pinch ground cumin, more to taste
Method
1 Prep the ingredients: Finely chop the tomatoes, chilies, and onions. Be careful while handling the chili peppers. Use a plastic baggie or disposable gloves to handle them, or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling and avoid touching your eyes for several hours.
2 Make the salsa: Place in a serving bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/fresh_tomato_salsa/
Microwave Chicken Quesadilla
Ingredients
for 1 serving
· 2 medium flour tortillas
· ½ cup canned chicken
· ½ bell pepper, diced
· 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
· ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preparation
1. Microwave the tortillas on a plate until slightly crispy. They will dry out a bit as they cool.
2. Mix the chicken, peppers, and taco seasoning in a bowl until evenly combined, then cook for about 1-2 minutes until the peppers are soft.
3. Spread the mixture evenly on one tortilla, cover evenly with the cheese, then top with the other tortilla.
4. Cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, slice, then serve.
5. Enjoy!
https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-4-minute-chicken-quesadilla