3min read
You’ve just arrived at your new travel nursing location, checked in to your accommodation, only to find that perhaps bringing your entire kitchen sink with you would have been a good idea…
What sits in front of you in the kitchen is a toaster, microwave, maybe even an air fryer if you’re lucky. So now the question becomes, “what on earth will I be able to cook here?” And that’s why you’re here. We understand that balancing your schedule with maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging.
With a bit of creativity, you can whip up both satisfying and healthy meals that will keep you energized throughout your demanding shifts. Here are some tips from our nurses, midwives and our team.
Convenient cooking methods we’ll cover
1. Recipes travel nurses and midwives can make in the microwave
The year is 1980, and your parents open The JCPenney Microwave Cookbook, where the inside reads “Welcome to the most versatile system of food preparation ever devised by man.”
Fast forward 30 years, majority of us have a different preference for how our racks of lamb or roast beef is prepared. Enter mug recipes.
Mug recipes
You’re short for time, and there’s 4 ingredients in the fridge. Consider whipping up a microwave mug omelette! With 10 to 12 grams of protein, it can be a quick fix to combat your hunger. Here are some ideas to get you started:
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Aussie Vegemite & Cheese Mug Omelette
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Vegemite
- 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Method:
- In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Stir in the Vegemite and grated cheese.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, pausing to stir every 30 seconds, until the omelette is cooked through.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
- Enjoy!
2. Foods travel nurses and midwives can make with a toaster
Bread is not the only thing you can slot between those metal grills to make a meal for yourself! Get your hands on a toaster bag and consider some staples like:
Crispy bacon
With the lack of a stove, you may be surprised that you can slot in some bacon to toast up for your next meal. An upside to this is that since it’s cooking vertically, gravity will drip the grease off the bacon and to the bottom of the bag, creating a much healthier way to enjoy bacon with less fatty oils!
Potato
Whether you enjoy sweet potatoes, potato waffles or hashbrowns, potatoes go hand in hand with toasters as it can reduce your cooking time significantly! Simply chop your potatoes into centimetre-wide slices, pop them into your toaster bag and toast them for a couple of minutes for a deliciously convenient snack during a shift!
Asparagus
Yes, you read right, even certain veggies can be cooked in the toaster! If you’re after something a bit richer in fibre than the previous two options, consider throwing a handful of fresh asparagus into a toaster bag and toast for a few minutes. You can even add olive oil and paprika to spice things up!
3. Foods travel nurses and midwives can make with an air fryer
Like a toaster, air fryers can be extremely versatile and timesaving. It’s a speedy cooking utility that will allow you to enjoy crispy foods without the use of excessive oil, meaning fried-like textures in a healthier manner!
Every air fryer is different, so they can vary in how they cook. You may need small adjustments to the recipes below to suit your taste. Consider trying these quick and healthy air frying recipes:
Crispy broccoli
If you’re looking for another healthy vegetable snack, then you’re in the right place! This recipe will give you delicious, crispy-fried broccoli that you can add to your favourite dish or even enjoy alone!
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We recommend serving the air-fried broccoli fresh as it will lose its crispness over time. If you’re planning to eat this later, like during shift break, you can consider adding a tablespoon of water before cooking to make your broccoli more tender than crispy!
“Boiled” eggs
Do you want to enjoy eggs without the hassle of boiling them in water? You definitely can’t put whole eggs in a toaster, but you sure can in an air fryer!
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Cooking as a travel nurse or midwife doesn’t have to be daunting, even with limited kitchen appliances. By embracing simple cooking techniques, investing in versatile appliances, and keeping a well-stocked pantry, you can whip up delicious and nutritious meals that keep you fuelled and ready for whatever the day throws your way and become the Masterchef of minimal cooking.
So don’t let a lack of kitchen space hold you back – get creative, experiment with new recipes, and enjoy the culinary journey wherever your nursing adventures take you.
From convenient cooking tips to rural and remote placements in Australia, you’ll find everything you need with Affinity. Let us help you achieve your agency nursing goals with the plethora of opportunities we can offer – register today!
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