Student Series: Dorm Friendly Meals from the Farmers Market
We are fortunate to live where Murray State students fill our small town with youth, and businesses prosper from the influx of student's extracurricular activities. So, welcome back Murray State students! Beginning our student blog series, we are going to focus solely on those who live in Murray while they attend school, and encourage more of an atmosphere that "Feels Like Home."
For starters, explore beyond 12th Street! There is so much more to Murray, KY than the Murray State campus. Branching off of 12th Street you will find small businesses with locals who smile as you walk through their doors, and goods where the money spent goes straight back into the growth of the town.
On Saturday mornings, from May through October, is an especially unique experience as the Downtown Murray Farmers Market is in full swing. We always encourage locals and visitors to attend not only to buy produce, but to get to know locals who thrive off the countryside of Calloway County. Yes, we already know what you are thinking. What can I get at the farmers market and bring back to my dorm or apartment? Well, good news! We have done the grunt work for you! From the seasonal products that are still available at the market, we've created a list of dorm or apartment friendly recipes that won't break the bank and is plain-as-day easy.
Breakfast
Granola & Honey Parfait
A perfect breakfast on-the-go option that you can make the night before and eat on the way to class!
Ingredients:
Greek Yogurt
Granola *Farmers Market*
Honey *Farmers Market*
Mug Omelet
Omelets don't have to be fancy! In less than 3 minutes, you will have a healthy breakfast to fuel your brain for a day full of classes. All you need is a microwave and a mug.
Ingredients:
2 eggs
½ bell pepper, diced *Farmers Market*
Your choice of deli meat
¼ cup fresh spinach *Farmers Market*
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
¼ tomato, diced *Farmers Market*
Desired amount of shredded cheese
Combine all ingredients in microwavable mug. Cook for 2-3 minutes; stir halfway through making sure the egg doesn't bubble over the top of the mug. Then enjoy! Here's a recipe to check out.
Jazzed-Up Oatmeal
When you think of oatmeal, you think of blah. We're here to change your mind! Oatmeal doesn't have to be boring, so let's spice it up a bit with this recipe.
Ingredients:
¼ cup oatmeal of choice
1 apple, diced *Farmers Market*
Honey *Farmers Market*
Granola *Farmers Market*
A pinch of cinnamon
Cook oatmeal to the specific instructions on label. While oatmeal is cooking, dice up apple. Add all the ingredients, and enjoy your hot breakfast before class!
Lunch/Dinner
Ramen
Let's take this typical college student meal and vamp it up, shall we?
Ingredients:
1 package of desired flavor Ramen noodles
1 cup of spinach *Farmers Market*
¼ cup of peppers, diced *Farmers Market*
¼ cup of squash, diced *Farmers Market*
Cook ramen noodles to packet specifications. In the meantime, dice up your vegetables. Add spinach and other vegetables to the broth, then viola!
Italian Veggie Wraps
We're going fancy, but cheap on this one. Makes 6 servings!
Ingredients:
1 small zucchini or cucumber, diced *Farmers Market*
1 cup your choice of cheese
1 cup your choice of deli meat
1 cup chopped fresh broccoli *Farmers Market*
1 tomato, diced *Farmers Market*
Olives
Italian Salad Dressing
Romaine leaf lettuce *Farmers Market*
Whole wheat tortillas
In a bowl, combine all ingredients except for the romaine and tortillas. When ready to serve, place romaine leaf on lettuce then top with the filling. Fold up the bottom and sides of the tortilla, then enjoy! See this recipe for a guide.
Spaghetti Squash
Does this scare you? It scared us until we found out how easy and delicious it is!
Ingredients:
1 Spaghetti Squash *Farmers Market*
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Cheese (optional)
Carefully, slice spaghetti squash in half. Remove seeds, then add salt, pepper, and butter to taste. Fill microwave-safe bowl with about an inch of water and place squash in bowl (squash inside facing down). Heat for roughly 12 minutes. Rake out strands with a fork and add cheese if you'd like, then enjoy! Check this recipe out for step-by-step instructions.
Sides
Steamed Veggies
It is extremely easy to enjoy a side of fresh vegetables, just by using a microwave.
Simply take desired cut-up vegetables and put into a microwavable bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water. Cover with a plate and microwave for roughly 3-4 minutes. Remove lid carefully, drain remaining water and enjoy your steamed veggies!
Green Beans
The green beans you can find at our farmers market are deliciously crispy, you can eat them raw!
Follow the same directions as the steamed veggies, and just add different flavors such as butter, salt, pepper, or garlic powder.
Baked Potato
The potatoes at our farmers market are so addicting, you can't resist them.
Ingredients:
Potato or Sweet Potato *Farmers Market*
Butter
Your choice of shredded cheese
Sour cream
Scrub potato to properly clean off any bacteria. Poke multiple holes throughout, then place on microwavable plate. Cook for 5 minutes and flip to cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from microwave and carefully cut in half. Top with butter, sour cream, and your choice of shredded cheese. Yum! Check this recipe out.
*Warning: If you do not poke holes in the potato before heating, it will explode in the microwave*
Corn
Introducing to you, a hack on how to cook sweet corn in your dorm.
All you need is a few ears of corn from a friendly farmer. Head back to your dorm and pop one ear of corn in the microwave (yes, husk and all) and cook for roughly four minutes. Remove from microwave (CAREFULLY, it will be extremely hot) and remove husk and silk. Shave the kernels off or eat right on the cob. Best when slathered with butter and seasoned with salt & pepper. Enjoy!
Other Recipes
Baked Apples with Cinnamon
Here's a sweet treat we can't possibly feel bad about enjoying.
Ingredients:
1 apple, diced *Farmers Market*
½ tsp of corn starch
¼ tsp of cinnamon
1 ½ tsp of water
1 packet of your choice of sweetener
Stir all ingredients into a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes until apples are soft, then enjoy! Follow this recipe for more instructions.
Snacks/Random Finds
Our farmers market has much more than just vegetables. Below is a list of other food you can find.
Beef Jerky
Pickles
Salsa
Granola
Cookies
Pies
Muffins
Summer sausage
Sweet breads
Sandwich bread
Rolls
Jerky
Jams
Roasted red pepper sauces and much more!
For more information about the farmers market, check out their website! The Downtown Murray Farmers Market is held every Saturday through October from 7 a.m. to Noon on the court square. Come visit us!
