Introduction

Welcome to the NUI Galway Student Cookbook, which has been compiled by the Health
Promotion & Wellbeing Team, Student Services. The purpose of this cookbook is to relieve
student’s stress in at least one area food. This cookbook is filled with quick, easy, affordable and
nutritious recipes designed for busy students.

We understand that living away from home and making your own meals is a new challenge for
some, which is why we've put these recipes together to help you settle into university life.
Whether you’ve never cooked before or you’re a professional in the kitchen- these recipes are
easy to make and not only taste great- but won't stretch the bank balance either.

Some of the recipes allow you to freeze enough for future meals- which saves waste, money and
time as you don’t have to prepare them all over again. All you need is some containers and a
freezer!

Enjoy!
 Marinate: to soak in a flavoured liquid; usually refers to meat, poultry, or fish
Poach: to cook gently over very low heat in barely simmering liquid just to cover
Purée: to mash or grind food until completely smooth, usually in a food processor or
blender
Roast: to cook a large piece of meat or poultry uncovered with dry heat in an oven
Sauté or panfry: to cook food in a small amount of fat over relatively high heat
Sear: to brown the surface of meat by quick-cooking over high heat in order to seal in the
meat’s juices
Shred: to cut food into narrow strips with a knife or a grater
Simmer: to cook in liquid just below the boiling point; bubbles form but do not burst on
the surface of the liquid
Steam: to cook food on a rack or in a steamer set over boiling or simmering water in a
covered pan
Stew: to cook covered over low heat in a liquid
Stir-fry: to quickly cook small pieces of food over high heat, stirring constantly
Whip: to beat food with a whisk or mixer to incorporate air and produce volume
Whisk: to beat ingredients with a fork or whisk to mix, blend, or incorporate air
Zest: the outer, coloured part of the peel of citrus fruit; usually grated and incorporated
into a dish for added flavour

Still unsure what you’re doing? Search YouTube for videos that show you how to use these
cooking skills/methods.
 What makes a meal?
To keep it simple, a meal is made up of 3 different food groups:

1. Protein (fish, meat or pulses)

All of these different food groups have great health benefits on their own. Protein is a great
source of energy and helps to build and rebuild muscles. Carbohydrates are the main
source of fuel for our body and brain. Vegetables, fruits or salads are full of fibre and
important vitamins and minerals.

When each component is combined together in a meal, the nutrition benefits increase even
more. An easy way to make sure that you are getting a protein, carbohydrate and vegetables
in each meal is to use a portion plate.

Aim to fill your plate as follows:

Prep Cook Time Serves Cost

Ingredients:
½ a wholemeal bagel
30g of low-fat cheese, grated
1 slice of ham
2 slices of tomato
4 slices of cucumber
Handful of lettuce leaves

Method:
1. Cut and toast the bagel half
2. Top with the ham, cheese and salad vegetables.
 Spiced Chickpea Soup

Prep Cook Time Serves Cost

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of oil
1 onion
2 celery stalks
3 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tin chopped tomatoes
½ teaspoon sugar
1 tin chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1 pint veg or chicken stock (1 stock cube dissolved in 1 pint boiling
water)
Juice of ½ lemon
Small bunch fresh coriander (optional, but delicious)

Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan
2. Chop the onion and celery and add to the pot with a little salt and
pepper
3. Fry on a medium heat for about 10 mins (keeping the lid on will help
prevent it from drying out, but you will also need to stir it)
4. Add the cumin and cook for another minute, stirring all the time
5. Add the tomatoes, the sugar, the chickpeas and the stock
6. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for 5 to 10 mins
7. Add the lemon juice and chopped coriander if using.
 Sweet Potato, Red Lentil
and Coconut Curry
Prep Cook Time Serves Cost
5 mins 30 mins 4 Low

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of oil
1 onion
5 garlic cloves (crushed)
1 tbsp. ginger (grated)
½ teaspoon of chilli powder
2 teaspoons of ground coriander, ground cumin and ground turmeric
2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled & chopped)
150g red lentils, rinsed
1 tin coconut milk
500ml water
150 g spinach (optional)
Juice ½ lemon or whole lime
2 cups brown rice
Natural yogurt to serve (optional)

Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large pot and fry the onion and garlic for a few minutes
2. Add the ginger and spices and fry for 5 minutes more, taking care they
do not stick. Cook rice according to instructions
3. Add sweet potato, lentils, coconut milk and water to a pot- bring to the
boil- then reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 mins (stirring often)
4. Add the spinach (if using), lime or lemon juice. Mix through.
5. Top with chopped fresh coriander (if you have it)
6. Season to taste and serve with some brown rice and a spoonful of
natural/Greek yogurt.
Healthy Chocolate Pecan
Truffles (makes 30 small)
Prep Cook Time Serves Cost
10 mins Low

Ingredients:
2 cups cacao powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup agave nectar or honey
1 teaspoon sea salt
2.5 cups coarsely ground pecan pieces
1 teaspoon Himalayan salt

Method:
1. Blend the cacao powder, vanilla extract, coconut oil, cinnamon, agave
nectar and sea salt in a blender using until the mixture is well combined
2. Refrigerate for up to 2 hours to set
3. In the meantime combine pecans, cinnamon, and salt in a food
processor and pulse into a fine crumb
4. Scoop out approximately 1 tablespoon of the set chocolate mixture and
form into 2” balls with your hands by rolling in a circular pattern, and
then drop into and roll in the pecan mixture
5. Store for one hour in refrigerator to set. Enjoy!
 Coconut Curry Nuts
Prep Cook Time Serves Cost
10 mins 10 mins Low

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups nuts (cashew, almonds, walnuts, pecans etc.)
2 tablespoons shredded and unsweetened coconut (optional)

Method:
1. In a bowl mix the olive oil, syrup, ginger and curry powder
2. Add the nuts and shredded coconut.
3. Stir to combine thoroughly
4. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture
out evenly on the baking sheet
5. Bake at 350 °F/ 180 °C/ Gas mark 4 for 10 minutes, or just until
beginning to toast. Do not overcook—they will continue to cook after
removing from the oven
6. Cool the mixture and then store in a jar or plastic container for up to
several weeks.
 Additional Resources

This student cookbook is a very basic start to giving you some resources to help you feel
confident in preparing healthy, homemade meals from your apartment or student house.

Of course, this does not even begin to scratch the surface of all the healthy recipes that are
available. So where can you go for more ideas if you can’t find something you’re looking for
here? Try some of the following resources:

BBC FOOD: Discover recipes on BBC Food, find recipes from your favourite programme or
browse by ingredient or dish.

Beyond Baked Beans: Cheap and healthy food for students on a budget.

Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI): INDI promotes the life - enhancing benefits of
good nutrition.

Safefood: An all- island body set up to promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and
nutrition.

101 Square Meals: This cookery book was designed to provide easy‑to‑prepare, low‑budget,
tasty, yet highly nutritious meals.