Coastal College Cooking: Cheap and Easy Cooking In Small Spaces
About Page
Welcome to Small Space Cooking!
If you've ever felt frustrated trying to cook in a cramped dorm kitchen or tiny apartment, you're in the right place. This site is here to help college students and anyone living in a small space overcome the challenges of cooking with limited time, space, and supplies. With tips, recipes, and techniques, you'll learn how to make the most of what you have. You don't need a gourmet kitchen to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals.
At Small Space Cooking, our goal is to give you the confidence to cook in any size kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, you'll find practical advice, easy-to-follow recipes, and smart tips to make cooking fun and affordable. We believe that cooking should be enjoyable, no matter the size of your kitchen.
We'll cover common challenges like choosing the right tools, maximizing your limited storage, and planning meals around a busy schedule. Our content is tailored for college students who often juggle tight budgets, hectic schedules, and shared living spaces.
I’m Yansen, a college student in California, and I've been experimenting with small-space cooking for years—starting in a dorm kitchen and later in a tiny apartment. I've always loved cooking but have had to make it work with limited space and money. Over time, I've learned how to balance my love for cooking with the realities of small-space living, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you!1. Why this, why now
Tell your readers why you are launching this space. What brought you here and what inspired you to do it now. Think of it as a mini personal manifesto.
Resource Links Page
This page’s purpose is to provide you with a list of resources that will help you navigate cooking in your college life/home! Whether you are trying to save space, time, or money, this page is for you. We have linked a variety of articles that are aimed to help make your life easier.
Saving Space!
"10 Tips for Cooking in a Tiny Kitchen"
Link: https://www.thekitchn.com/10-tips-for-cooking-in-a-tiny-kitchen-241358Summary: This article offers practical advice for maximizing efficiency in a small kitchen. It covers essential strategies like organizing space, using versatile tools, and simplifying cooking processes to make the most of limited room. It’s beneficial for readers looking to adapt to smaller cooking environments.
"The Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Tiny Spaces"
Link:https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/best-small-kitchen-appliancesSummary: This guide reviews and recommends small kitchen appliances that are perfect for compact kitchens. From mini blenders to space-saving air fryers, the article helps readers choose appliances that are both functional and easy to store, catering to those who want to cook efficiently without cluttering their space.
"Minimalist Cooking: How to Cook More with Less"
Link: https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-minimalist-kitchen-essentials/Summary: This resource focuses on minimalist cooking, emphasizing how to prepare delicious meals with fewer ingredients and tools. It’s ideal for readers who want to reduce kitchen clutter and focus on essential, versatile items, making cooking in small spaces simpler and more enjoyable.
“Simple Apartment Kitchen Ideas to Maximize Your Space” https://doudapartmenthomes.com/apartment-kitchen-ideas-to-maximize-your-space/
This resource lists a variety of renter friendly ways you could organize your kitchen to maximize storage space. This is a great resource for students who will be living in rented apartments or houses, and can’t completely renovate their kitchen to make more space for kitchen organization and storage.
Saving Money!
“Which Foods Are Actually Cheaper At Trader Joe’s” https://www.allrecipes.com/article/which-foods-are-cheaper-at-trader-joes/
This article lists the kind of items you should buy at Trader Joe’s, rather than at another grocery store. It is a great resource for readers looking for ways to maximize their savings when grocery shopping (perfect for UCSB college students!).
“Supermarket Student Discounts” https://www.studentbeans.com/student-discount/uk/cats/supermarkets#:~:text=SUPERMARKETS%20STUDENT%20DISCOUNTS,%2C%20Sainsbury's%2C%20ASDA%20and%20Morrisons.
This website called Student Beans provides links to an abundance of student discounts. The category linked is supermarket discounts. This is a very helpful site for students at UCSB trying to save money on groceries.
“Dining Services at UCSB: A Comprehensive Guide”
This highly credible source provides detailed information about dining services at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It covers dining commons, retail markets, restaurants, nutrition, dietary considerations, and food security. This source is invaluable for readers seeking reliable information about dining options and nutritional support at UCSB.
Saving Time!
“Quick and Delicious Recipies for Busy Lives”
This food blog offers a variety of easy and quick dinner recipes, created by experienced cookbook authors Sonja and Alex Overhiser. It is an excellent resource for readers looking for quick, healthy meal ideas that cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options.
“The Impact of Meal Timings of Health and Well-Being”
This blog post from Johns Hopkins University explores the importance of meal timing and its effects on overall well-being. It is a credible and informative source for readers interested in understanding how regular eating schedules can support their health, backed by scientific research and expert insights.