Meet Gigi, a Melbourne-based student who loves to cook. She’s always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try, and she’s mastered the art of making delicious meals that are both affordable and easy to prepare. She lives at Scape Franklin, which is only a few minutes walk from Queen Victoria Market, Aldi, Woolworths and her favourite Asian grocer.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what Gigi cooks and eats in a day.

• Gigi uses simple, affordable ingredients that you can find at any grocery store.
• Her recipes are easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
• Her meals are both delicious and satisfying, perfect for busy students.

If you’re looking for some new meal ideas that are both affordable and delicious, be sure to take inspiration from what Gigi cooks and eats in a day:

Breakfast: Homemade Granola and Strawberry Matcha

Gigi’s Granola Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup seed mix (pepitas and sunflower seeds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon salted honey

Method:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Spread the mixture in an air fryer basket and cook at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
3. Serve with favourite type of milk or yogurt – Gigi has hers with almond milk.

Gigi’s Strawberry Matcha Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 large strawberries, diced
• 1 tablespoon matcha powder
• 1 cup almond milk
• Ice (optional)

Method:

1. Blend the strawberries and add to a glass with ice.
2. Pour almond milk over the blended strawberries and ice.
3. Mix matcha with a splash of water.
4. Add matcha to the glass.

Lunch: Pasta Salad with Chicken and Crunchy Kale Chips

Gigi’s Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 box pasta spirals
• Salad dressing:
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons herbs (such as basil, oregano, thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons honey mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cucumber, and red onion.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, herbs, honey mustard, garlic, and lemon juice. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

Gigi’s Chicken 

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenderloins
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Method:

1. Season the chicken with crushed garlic, paprika, and pepper.
2. Cook in a frypan with olive oil.

Gigi’s Crunchy Kale Chips

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch kale, washed and dried
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt

Method:

1. Space the kale on a baking tray.
2. Drizzle olive oil and add salt.
3. Bake for 10-15 minutes in an air forced oven.

Dinner: Beef Pepper Rice and Miso Soup

Gigi’s Miso Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 piece of konbu, about 6 inches square
• 4 cups water
• 4 tablespoons dashi powder
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 block of firm tofu, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons miso paste

Method:

1. Rinse the konbu in cold water.
2. In a large pot, combine the konbu and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in the dashi powder and bring the soup to a boil again.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add the onion, garlic, and spring onion to the soup. Cook for 3 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
6. Add the mushrooms to the soup and cook for 2 minutes, or until they are tender.
7. Stir in the tofu and miso paste. Cook for 1 minute, or until the miso is dissolved.
8. Serve the soup hot.

Gigi’s Beef Pepper Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 beef steak
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 1/4 cup sliced spring onion
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Sauce:
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Method:

1. Heat a large skillet and olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the garlic, butter and pepper and cook for 1 minute more.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, soy sauce, and maple syrup.
5. Plate the rice, corn, and spring onion.
6. Pour the sauce over the beef pepper rice and serve.

Gigi loves to cook, and she’s always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try. She’s mastered the art of making delicious meals that are both affordable and easy to prepare. Her recipes are perfect for busy students who are looking for healthy and satisfying meals.

Here are some additional tips for students who are looking to cook more:

• Plan your meals ahead of time. This will help you make sure that you have all of the ingredients you need and that you’re not tempted to order takeout.
• Cook in bulk. This is a great way to save time and money. You can cook a large batch of food on the weekend and then eat it for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
• Use simple ingredients. There’s no need to go crazy with complicated recipes. Simple ingredients can be just as delicious and satisfying.
• Get creative. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking.

Most importantly, have fun! Cooking should be enjoyable. So relax, take your time, and enjoy the process.