Dorm Chef: the Series

Welcome to the introduction of a new segment on my blog! Every Sunday night, I will be cataloging some of the best recipes crafted by me or my roommates. Two points of discussion:

1. Prerequisites
 - my appliances include a Magic Bullet (small blender), sandwich maker, and a hotpot
      - the cost of these are, respectively, 40, 10, 15 for a grand total of $65. This is an investment, people
2. Subtitle
 - all cool cooking shows have a subtitle. So, Dorm Chef: __________________ ... I need something good

This week, I'll be sharing a simple recipe that never fails to get a 'how do you make that in the dorm?!' response.

Lemon-Garlic Spaghetti

Appliances needed: Hotpot

Ingredients:
Angel Hair Spaghetti
Garlic salt, garlic powder, or any garlic-type spice. I use Mrs. Dash's Garlic Herb seasoning.
Butter (optional)
Salt and pepper
Lemon juice

Fill the hotpot to a little over half-full with water, sprinkling a small amount of salt into the water. Turn it on and wait till it comes to a rolling boil (until it's bubbling). To measure out your spaghetti, place the pad of your thumb against the nail of your pointer finger, making a small circle. The amount of spaghetti that fits into the circle is about one serving. Break the noodles in half and place into the boiling water. Stir frequently with a utensil to keep spaghetti from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Check your spaghetti after about 3 minutes. If the noodles are still a little crunchy in the middle, cook for another 1-2 minutes, until they are cooked throughout. I always taste test until it's right, but you can always pull my dad's trick of throwing it against the wall. If it sticks, it's done!

Strain out the extra water by holding something (like a plate) against the hotpot while you pour the water into the sink. Immediately transfer your spaghetti to a bowl or plate. Stir in a small amount of butter, squeeze a few drops of lemon onto the top, and sprinkle garlic, salt, and pepper as desired.

Grab some bread and butter, fruit, or veggies to add to your meal, and voila! Dinner is served.

Cost:
Spaghetti ($.99 for 8 servings)
Garlic seasoning ($4 for a small bottle)
Lemon ($.50/lemon)
Total cost: around $.50 per person

m(r)