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Supersize it or cover it in cheese, it'll be delicious either way.
Courtenay Parker
Aug 14, 2018
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
178
Have you ever wanted to make something that you've never seen before? Maybe you've just wanted to spend an entire day in your kitchen creating weird recipes. Obviously there are going to be some failures (there's often a learning curve in cooking), but, if you keep on trying, you are going to end up with an exciting array of savory dishes and desserts that get the tantalizing title of "homemade." Here are 10 recipes that will not only fill you up, but they will give you a fair amount of kitchen cred if you manage to execute them properly.
1. Raindrop cake
Not only does this cake look super cool when it's finished, but it is only three ingredients! The main ingredient of the cake, agar agar, isn't the easiest thing to find, however. It's best to buy agar agar in powder form, but I do caution your on even trying to make this. The raindrop cake took quite a few tries to make, so if you don't have a lot a patience, please do not attempt.
2. Chocolate Crepe Cake
Crepes are amazing all on their own, but when you stack these crepes one after another with whipped cream in-between, you really can't go wrong. Crepe cakes are something that have really sparked people's interest recently, thanks, in part, to a crazy popular trend of rainbow crepe cakes. You will only need to make about 20 crepes to create a nice sized cake, but feel free to stack them as high as you want. Just remember that the outsides of the crepe are much thinner and lighter than the middle so be careful when you stack them or it will start to look like a ball.
3. Giant Cinnamon Roll
Do you even need any convincing on this one? A GIANT cinnamon roll. The only down side to this is the struggle to make it...and the stomachache after eating all of it in one sitting. There unfortunately is a way to make the cinnamon roll too big, so make sure you get it just the right size so that it retains its shape, flavor and look.
4. Cheese-covered burger
If you've ever imagined adding even more to your already insanely delicious burger, why not just cover it in cheese? The cheese-covered burger is one way to get your cheese fix. Obviously this isn't the hardest thing to make, but it will the one of the messiest things to eat. Feel free to add anything on the inside that you want, but remember it will be covered in hot, melted cheese. Lastly, think about eating it with a fork and knife. Burgers are a lot less finger-friendly when drenched in cheesy goodness.
5. Timpano
This pasta dish is basically a giant noodle filled with meat, pasta and sauces. The Timpano can be a bit of a daunting dish due to the sheer number of fillings, plus the fact that, if the crust isn't strong enough, every single one of those fillings are going to spill out when you try and flip the Timpano out of its pan.
6. Stuffed chocolate chip cookies
One of the easier things you can whip up in your kitchen right now is stuffed cookies. You can add any filling to these cookies, from Nutella, cookie butter and marshmallows to fruit jam and peanut butter. The best thing about these cookies is their size. Because of the fillings, you are going to have a lot of cookie to work with. Fill the top of your cookie with as many toppings as you want. You can either work with the filling of the cookie, or go for yummy opposition with a sweet and salty flavor pairing.
7. Four flavor cheesecake
Sometimes it's just too hard to decide what kind of cheesecake you're craving, right? Well, this four flavor cheesecake is the answer to all of your prayers. Whatever flavors you want are perfectly okay, but there are problems you may run into when trying to figure out how to not let the different flavors mix. The way to solve this problem is by using graham crackers in-between each flavor. Luckily, cheesecake is thick enough that it won't leak through the crackers so each flavor will stay in its quarter. Add whatever toppings that pair well with your flavors and you've got cheesecakes for four different types of people!
8. Melted wheel of cheese
We've all seen the videos of fresh dishes being covered in melted cheese from a partially melted wheel of cheese. Maybe you are wondering how you could re-create this yourself and cover whatever you want in melted cheese whenever you want. There are a couple different ways to melt the cheese so you get the cool scrape effect. You can blow torch the top of the cheese, broil it or even use a hairdryer. Your melted wheel of cheese is a great way to entertain guests, if you are having trouble figuring out what to serve.
9. Zero waste apple pie
Zero waste has become a much bigger deal in recent years, with many people trying to change their lifestyles with their environmental influence in mind. This is not an easy thing to do, as almost anything you need will be packaged. A zero waste apple pie isn't the most interesting looking thing, but when you tell people you created basically no trash while making it, that's a pretty impressive feat in and of itself. If you are wondering how you are going to get your baking ingredients with no packaging, you are going to need to find a grocery store that has bulk containers and bring your own reusable containers to measure out exact ingredients; this will be the biggest problem you are going to encounter with your zero waste apple pie.
10. Japenese desserts
Most Japanese desserts are very clearly made to be eaten with both the eyes and the mouth. Japanese desserts typically feature beautiful flowers in a clear, gelatin-like substance. While these desserts may seem very difficult to make, a few tries will get you very close. Japanese desserts are really more like works of art than food.
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Student Life
Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.
Anisha Tyagi
14 March
Smith College
50874
StableDiffusion
Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.
This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.
Don't freak out
This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.
Email the professor
Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.
Attend the first class
people sitting on chair in front of computer
Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.
Keep attending class
Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).
Have a backup plan
For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.
Remember that everything works out at the end
Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.
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Swoon
It's mandatory to have these conversations.
Brianna Cicero
07 March
National Writers Society
116825
Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?
Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:
all stars lol GIF by LifetimeGiphy
1. What do you do for a living?
two women talking while looking at laptop computerPhoto by KOBU Agency on Unsplash
What someone does for a living can tell a lot about who they are and what they're interested in! Their career reveals a lot more about them than just where they spend their time to make some money.
2. What's your favorite color?
OK, I get it, this seems like something you would ask a Kindergarten class, but I feel like it's always good to know someone's favorite color. You could always send them that Snapchat featuring you in that cute shirt you have that just so happens to be in their favorite color!
3. Do you have any siblings?
shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky facesPhoto by Austin Pacheco on Unsplash
This one is actually super important because it's totally true that people grow up with different roles and responsibilities based on where they fall in the order. You can tell a lot about someone just based on this seemingly simple question.
4. What's your favorite television show?
OK, maybe this isn't a super important question, but you have to know ASAP if you can quote Michael Scott or not. If not, he probably isn't the one. Sorry, girl.
5. When is your birthday?
happy birthday balloons with happy birthday textPhoto by Morgan Lane on Unsplash
You can then proceed to do the thing that every girl does without admitting it and see how compatible your zodiacs are.
6. What's your biggest goal in life?
If you're like me, you have big goals that you want to reach someday, and you want a man behind you who also has big goals and understands what it's like to chase after a dream. If his biggest goal is to see how quickly he can binge-watch "Grey's Anatomy" on Netflix, you may want to move on.
7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?
itty-bitty living space." | The Genie shows Aladdin how… | Flickrwww.flickr.com
This is a go-to for an insight into their personality. Based on how they answer, you can tell if they're goofy, serious, or somewhere in between.
8. What's your favorite childhood memory?
For some, this may be a hard question if it involves a family member or friend who has since passed away. For others, it may revolve around a tradition that no longer happens. The answers to this question are almost endless!
9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
We all have parts of our lives and stories that we wish we could change. It's human nature to make mistakes. This question is a little bit more personal but can really build up the trust level.
10. Are you a cat or a dog person?
shallow focus photography of dog and catPhoto by Anusha Barwa on Unsplash
I mean, duh! If you're a dog person, and he is a cat person, it's not going to work out.
11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?
Personally, I am a Christian, and as a result, I want to be with someone who shares those same values. I know some people will argue that this question is too much in the talking stage, but why go beyond the talking stage if your personal values will never line up?
12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
yellow Volkswagen van on roadPhoto by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash
Even homebodies have a must visit place on their bucket list!
13. What is your ideal date night?
Hey, if you're going to go for it... go for it!
14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?
orange i have a crush on you neon light signagePhoto by Leonardo Sanches on Unsplash
For me, it was hands-down Nick Jonas. This is always a fun question to ask!
15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?
Let's be real, if you put a label on it, you're not going to see your significant other at their best 24/7.
16. Do you have any tattoos?
5 Tattoos Artist That Will Make You Want A Tattoo
This can lead to some really good conversations, especially if they have a tattoo that has a lot of meaning to them!
17. Can you describe yourself in three words?
It's always interesting to see if how the person you're talking to views their personal traits lines ups with the vibes you're getting.
18. What makes you the most nervous in life?
woman biting pencil while sitting on chair in front of computer during daytimePhoto by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
This question can go multiple different directions, and it could also be a launching pad for other conversations.
19. What's the best gift you have ever received?
Admittedly, I have asked this question to friends as well, but it's neat to see what people value.
20. What do you do to relax/have fun?
Work hard, play hard, right?
21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?
a scrabbled wooden block spelling the word prizePhoto by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
This is always interesting because no matter how compatible your personalities may be, if one of you wants to be serious and the other is looking for something casual, it's just not going to work.
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single life
Lifestyle
Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?
Tierney M. Riccitelli
06 March
Marist College
32563
StableDiffusion
Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.
A few weeks ago, I was given a loaf of bread called Challah (pronounced like holla), and upon my first bite, I realized it tasted just like Easter Bread. It was so delicious that I just had to make some of my own, which I did.
StableDiffusion
The recipe is as follows:
Ingredients
2 tsp active dry or instant yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk (reserve the white for the egg wash)
1/4 cup neutral-flavored vegetable oil
Instructions
- Combine yeast and a pinch of sugar in small bowl with the water and stir until you see a frothy layer across the top.
- Whisk together 4 cups of the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the flour and add in eggs, egg yolk, and oil. Whisk these together to form a slurry, pulling in a little flour from the sides of the bowl.
- Pour the yeast mixture over the egg slurry and mix until difficult to move.
- Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes. If the dough seems very sticky, add flour a teaspoon at a time until it feels tacky, but no longer like bubblegum. The dough has finished kneading when it is soft, smooth, and holds a ball-shape.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place somewhere warm. Let the dough rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Separate the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a long rope roughly 1-inch thick and 16 inches long.
- Gather the ropes and squeeze them together at the very top. Braid the pieces in the pattern of over, under, and over again. Pinch the pieces together again at the bottom.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and lift the loaf on top. Sprinkle the loaf with a little flour and drape it with a clean dishcloth. Place the pan somewhere warm and away from drafts and let it rise until puffed and pillowy, about an hour.
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the reserved egg white with a tablespoon of water and brush it all over the challah. Be sure to get in the cracks and down the sides of the loaf.
- Slide the challah on its baking sheet into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking. The challah is done when it is deeply browned.
I kept wondering how these two breads could be so similar in taste. So I decided to look up a recipe for Easter Bread to make a comparison. The two are almost exactly the same! These recipes are similar because they come from religious backgrounds. The Jewish Challah bread is based on kosher dietary laws. The Christian Easter Bread comes from the Jewish tradition but was modified over time because they did not follow kosher dietary laws.
StableDiffusion
A recipe for Easter bread is as follows:
Ingredients
2 tsp active dry or instant yeast
2/3 cup milk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white granulated sugar
2 tbs butter
2 large eggs
2 tbs melted butter
1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast; stir well. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
- Gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Brush risen loaf with melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Both of these recipes are really easy to make. While you might need to have a day set aside for this activity, you can do things while the dough is rising or in the oven. After only a few hours, you have a delicious loaf of bread that you made from scratch, so the time and effort is really worth it!
StableDiffusion
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Adulting
Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!
There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.
Haley Harvey
29 February
University of Oklahoma
955761
Haley Harvey
The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.
Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.
Every year when summer rolls back around, you can't wait to fire up the boat and get back out there. Here is a list of things you can probably identify with as a fellow lake-goer.
A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.
It's your place of escape, where you can leave everything else behind and just enjoy the beautiful summer day. No matter what kind of week you had, being able to come and relax without having to worry about anything else is the best therapy there is. After all, there's nothing better than a day of hanging out in the hot sun, telling old funny stories and listening to your favorite music.
You know the best beaches and coves to go to.
women sitting on rock near body of waterPhoto by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Whether you want to just hang out and float or go walk around on a beach, you know the best spots. These often have to be based on the people you're with, given that some "party coves" can get a little too crazy for little kids on board. I still have vivid memories from when I was six that scared me when I saw the things drunk girls would do for beads.
You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.
When there's a long line of trucks waiting to dump their boats in the water, there's always that one clueless guy who can't get it right, and takes 5 attempts and holds up the line. No one likes that guy. One time my dad got so fed up with a guy who was taking too long that he actually got out of the car and asked this guy if he could just do it for him. So he got into the guy's car, threw it in reverse, and got it backed in on the first try. True story.
Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.
Similar to the "jeep wave," almost everyone waves to other boats passing by. It's just what you do, and is seen as a normal thing by everyone.
The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.
Alcohol seems to be a big part of the lake experience, but other drinks are squeezed into the room remaining in the cooler for the kids, not to mention the wide assortment of chips and other foods in the snack bag.
Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.
There's nothing worse than floating in the water, all settled in and minding your business, when some idiot barrels through. Now your anchor is loose, and you're left jostled by the waves when it was nice and perfectly still before. This annoyance is typically answered by someone yelling some choice words to them that are probably accompanied by a middle finger in the air.
You have no problem with peeing in the water.
It's the lake, and some social expectations are a little different here, if not lowered quite a bit. When you have to go, you just go, and it's no big deal to anyone because they do it too.
You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.
The number of anchors you go through as a boat owner is likely a number that can be counted on two hands. Every once in a while, it gets stuck on something on the bottom of the lake, and the only way to fix the problem is to cut the rope, and you have to replace it.
Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.
If you're the typical lake-goer, you likely might have an average-sized boat that you're perfectly happy with. However, that doesn't mean you don't stop and stare at the fast boats that loudly speed by, or at the obnoxiously huge yachts that pass.
Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.
You've learned this the hard way, coming back from a day in the water and seeing the flowers on your bathing suit that were once white, are now a nice brownish hue.
The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.
If the driver knows how to give you a good ride, or just wants to specifically throw you off, you know you're done when you're speeding up and heading straight for a big wave. Suddenly you're airborne, knowing you're about to completely wipe out, and you eat pure wake. Then you get back on and do it all again.
You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.
One of the many nice things about the life at the lake is that everybody cares about everything a little less. Rolling up to the place wearing only your swimsuit, a cover-up, and flip flops, you fit right in. After a long day when you're sunburned, a little buzzed, and hungry, you're served without any hesitation.
Having unexpected problems with your boat.
Every once in a while you're hit with technical difficulties, no matter what type of watercraft you have. This is one of the most annoying setbacks when you're looking forward to just having a carefree day on the water, but it's bound to happen. This is just one of the joys that come along with being a boat owner.
Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.
One of the many interesting things that make up the lake culture is the fact that many people name their boats. They can range from basic to funny, but they are unique to each and every owner, and often have interesting and clever meanings behind them.
There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.
Summer is your all-time favorite season, mostly because it's spent at the lake. Whether you're floating in the cool water under the sun, or taking a boat ride as the sun sets, you don't have a care in the world at that moment. The people that don't understand have probably never experienced it, but it's what keeps you coming back every year.
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family and friends
Student Life
Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.
Charlotte Mahoney-Mosedale
22 February
Beloit College
180789
Photo by Abderrahmane Meftah on Unsplash
I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.
1. My school is incredibly unique.
There are so many different kinds of people that each bring something really special to contribute to the school which makes it so unique.
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
2. I am not just a number at my school.
I am a student that my professors know about and I like knowing that my professors can watch my progress.
Photo by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash
3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.
I like feeling like I can make a difference on my campus.
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
4. I really do feel like it is my home away from home.
It isn't just my school. It is absolutely my home away from home. I feel so comfortable there and it was as hard of an adjustment as I had thought it would be.
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.
I feel like they will do anything to help students succeed. I can always go to my professors. I like knowing that I have someone looking out for me.
Photo by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash
6. The incredible people I've met
The people I have met at my school, even after my first year, have made such a huge impact on me. I know that these are people that I will stay friends with long after college is done.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
7. Opportunities
My school offers so many different opportunities to get involved in things around campus. Even writing for the Odyssey was an opportunity offered to me by my school and I decided to challenge myself by writing an article. Turns out, I really enjoy writing. I might not have had this opportunity at a bigger school.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
8. Students want to learn
I feel as though I am not just learning inside the classroom at my school. I am learning outside the classroom to from my fellow classmates who want to engage about the things we have learned.
Photo by 9. Ability to join a sorority and have a house full of people I know I can talk to anytime I need to
I wasn't sure if being in a sorority was something I was interested in but when I met the amazing people in the sorority and how inclusive it was, I knew that it was going to be a good thing for me. The people I've met in my sorority have been so amazing.
Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash
10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.
Because of the smaller class sizes, there is more flexibility in the way the class is taught. This was helpful because I was able to try out different ways of learning and figure out which way I learn best.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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