College is a time of discovery-including cooking for yourself for the first time. Though I became passionate about food and cooking at an early age, and tried to instill this in my own children, it was really never of much interest to them. My son could live off chicken tenders and Ramen, but does love a good bowl of homemade Gumbo when returning from Georgia Tech. My daughter is a pro at making bacon and scrambled egg whites, but has to have my famous chili each time she returns home from the University of Alabama.
It was Caroline’s senior year of high school when I noticed her interest beginning to peak in wanting to coo. She began to bake and her days were filled with trial and error. This past December she really began to show some skills, that is, until her new boyfriend, who does love food and loves to cook too, received a sleek new knife set for Christmas, and Caroline ended up in the ER with six stitches in her thumb!
This is where Nisa Burns steps in with her handy new cookbook for college students (really kids of all ages) called Kitchenability 101– The College Student’s Guide to Easy, Healthy and Delicious Food. Nisa is also a speaker and culinary graduate.
The book is broken down into chapters; Orientation (including knife skills), Wake-Up call, Grab & Go, Choose Your Major, Amazing Grazing, Cram Sessions & Study Groups, and Party Menus. Filled with easy to make recipes packed with limited yet fresh ingredients, it is the perfect kitchen handbook for kids interested in cooking, especially those you are shipping off to college, or those already there!
Nisa Burns, a spring chicken herself, can relate to students and shares practical information and ideas for short-cuts in the kitchen, along with how to thrive in college on a budget- something offspring tend to tune out!
Today I got together with a few friends and we are pitching in to bring you delicious versions of mouth-watering avocado dips perfect for any party or tailgate! With the Super Bowl coming up, you will want to check the links below to get each recipe.
Since I am reviewing Kitchenability 101, I am making Super Fresh Guacamole from chapter seven, page 140.
Makes four servings
Super Fresh Guacamole
What You Need:
- 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
- Juice of 1 medium-sized lime
- 3 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced small
- 1 clove minced garlic
What You Do:
- Mash up the avocados in a bowl
- Add the lime juice and salt; mix well
- Add the cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic; mix together
Notes:
- Serve with your favorite chips-corn or flour
- How to core an avocado: Make sure the avocado is ripe by pressing with your thumb. If the skin gives in slightly, the flesh is ripe and ready to eat. Take a knife and sear through the flesh to the core. Cut around the entire length of the fruit, splitting in two halves. With the knife blade, tap the pit, twist, and pop the pit into the trash. Use a spoon to scoop the flesh from the shells.
Guacamole Roundup:
Mango Guacamole from Diabetic Foodie
Winter Citrus Guacamole from Cooking with Books
Guacamole with Fennel & Green Apple from Food Hunter’s Guide
It’s Easy Being Green Guacamole from Cookistry
Pineapple Chipotle Mango Guacamole from Thyme in Our Kitchen
Simply Delicious Guacamole from Farmgirl Gourmet
Bacon-Ranch Guacamole Miss In The Kitchen
More yummy photos from Kitchenability 101:
