Some people are just unlucky in the kitchen. They seem to be able to burn almost anything, and claim the only thing they know how to make is Kraft Dinner. Does this sound like you? Cooking can be challenging, but there is hope for you yet. The kitchen may seem like a daunting place to you now but after I share some easy cooking tips with you, you'll be wearing an apron in no time.

Making Lunch

People spend far too much money on lunch in the cafeteria. It's much more economical to bring your own lunch to school, and the money you save can be spent on other things (like beer!). Sandwiches are an easy make; slapping some meat in between to slices of bread or spreading some peanut butter on a bun is a no-brainer. This can get boring though, so how about mixing it up with some other foods? Homemade salsa is easy by chopping up some tomatoes, onions and green pepper and sprinkling with lemon juice, salt and pepper. This can be enjoyed with a ziplock full of organic corn chips! Or take a can of chickpeas, drain it, and blend it up in a food processor or blender. Add some lemon juice, salt, garlic and olive oil for a creamy hummus. This can be put in a tub and eaten with pita triangles (just cut a pita up like a pizza). Make sure to bring some gum for afterwards.

Making Dinner

Whether you're eating alone or having company for dinner, it's important that you are making nutritious meals (not TV Dinners and Hamburger Helper). Homemade pizza can be as easy as taking a pita, spreading tomato sauce over top, grating some cheese on it and any other fixings you like: sliced onions, green peppers, olives or chopped up bacon etc. Get creative! You can make some garlic butter by softening some butter (leave it out for a couple of hours) and adding chopped garlic/garlic powder, pepper, dried herbs and paprika. This is lovely on your pizza crust or on whole wheat garlic bread.

Chop up a free-run chicken breast and stir fry it up in a pan on medium heat with a little oil. Then add some cream of mushroom soup with a little chicken stock (or water), add a handful of spinach and serve it on egg noodles. It's quick, easy and sure to impress.

Dessert

Making a delicious and impressive dessert is probably the easiest thing to do. All you need is some fruit, some wine/brandy and some good vanilla ice cream. Pitted cherries, apples, pears or fresh peaches work beautifully. Slice the fruit into bite-sized pieces, discarding any pits or cores. Heat up a little butter in a pan on medium and add your fruit so it sizzles. When the fruit develops a bit of a brown colour, turn the heat way down and add a little bit of the alcohol. Make sure your pan in not too hot or it will flame up and you'll be missing some eyebrows! Cook the fruit in the alcohol for a few minutes, and pour it on a scoop of ice cream. So delicious!

A nutella sauce can be made by simply heating up a half cup of chocolate milk/chocolate soy milk and adding two tbsp of nutella. Let this reduce until it's a saucy consistency and there you have it! drizzle this sauce on a fried banana or ice cream sundae.

Now put on that chefs hat and apron, grab a wooden spoon and march on into that kitchen. Don't be scared! Lets see what you're made of!