This piece is the eighth in a series of “Ask an Alum” columns that will be periodically published online through a partnership between Elon University’s Young Alumni Council and The Pendulum.
Hello Elon family!
My name is Shante’ Barnwell, and I am delighted to take this opportunity to discuss one of my favorite hobbies with you: cooking. To be more specific, cooking on a budget.
As busy young alums, we’re still trying to grasp how to skillfully navigate through this conundrum called life. Amidst balancing our jobs, spending time with family, volunteering and having social lives, cooking may be the last thing on our minds. However, cooking on a budget may benefit you more than you think and save you money.
I am here to offer some brief insight on how to avoid the ramen noodles and embrace a well-balanced and affordable home-cooked meal.
Now, “home-cooked meal” may sound daunting and tedious to some, but the great news is you don’t have to be the next Emeril Lagasse to cook for yourself and/or others.
Why home-cooked, you say? Eating out is great, but it can take a toll on your bank account depending upon how often and where you go.
A Chick-fil-A meal here on your lunch break and a Papa Johns pizza there on Thursday night start to add up. Keeping a fairly well-stocked fridge and pantry can do the trick to make a simple yet elegant meal.
Let’s start with a few basics to cooking on a budget: First, catch what products are on sale at the grocery store. Look out for “Buy One, Get One, Free” deals. I receive emails from the grocery store with weekly specials.
Second, if you don’t already have the bare basics in your fridge or freezer, you should pick some up. A few of the staples that stay in my fridge and freezer include: milk, butter, eggs, flour, cheese, bread, some sort of protein (boneless chicken or tilapia), rice, pasta and frozen vegetables (broccoli or a stir fry mix).
It’s amazing what meals you can make just with the basics. For example, one of my favorite go-to meals is a creamy, chicken fettuccini alfredo dish. It can be made from scratch with some of the foods mentioned above. The alfredo sauce consists of flour, butter, milk, a dash of salt and pepper cooked over low/ medium heat. Add small slices of your boneless chicken, throw in fresh or frozen broccoli, serve over pasta, and voilà!
Another staple of mine is tilapia. It is a less expensive, but quality fish that takes virtually no time to cook over the stove and goes well with almost anything.
I hope that these tips help to kick-start your cooking. Start small, just cooking a few meals for yourself, and before you know it, you’ll be working your way up to entertaining friends and family. A home-cooked meal is a great way to bring everyone together. If you have any questions about cooking on a budget, feel free to reach me at sbarnwell13@gmail.com. Thanks for reading, and Long Live Elon!
Shante’ Barnwell ’11 is from Hilton Head Island, SC and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. She majored in Strategic Communications with a minor in Sociology. She currently works for Wells Fargo.
Shante’ Barnwell ’11 is from Hilton Head Island, SC and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. She majored in Strategic Communications with a minor in Sociology. She currently works for Wells Fargo.