Cooking with Karina: Stud Muffins

Quinoa Pizza Bites (Photo: Karina Arnold)

Karina Arnold is a junior at the University of Oklahoma who’s passionate about healthy cooking. She provides creative, healthy recipes and tips on clean eating.

When I signed my lease on my apartment, I failed to remember I would have to start from scratch. I did not have pots, pans, utensils, a broom, trashcan or any of the miscellaneous things you need in a living space. My mom and I took a long, much-needed shopping trip to buy the necessities. After much trial and error, I figured out what I needed and didn’t need, which I documented in my Kitchen Toolbox article.

One item that became a staple was my stainless steel muffin tin. Besides making delectable muffins or cupcakes, you can use muffin tins to make sweet and savory treats with or without an oven.

Using a little muffin tin magic, make these fantastic Frozen Yogurt Granola Cups, which require no oven. For a speedy and savory breakfast on-the-go, my Frittata Muffins pair great with hot sauce and a large cup of coffee. Both recipes are nutritious breakfasts that require little work so you can get to work.

In addition to fro-yo and frittatas, the muffin tin is useful for game-days.

Be a stud muffin at your next football watch party with these Pizza Bites. With these pizza bites, there will no longer be grubby fingers rubbing on the sofa or soggy, smelly pizza boxes piling in the kitchen. Dip into Fall Football without the greasy pizza. This bite-sized bake uses simple, nutritious ingredients like quinoa, cheese and marinara. Go the extra yard and buy a low-sodium sauce at your local Famers Market.

Living on your own forces you to learn the tricks that work for you and your lifestyle. For me, stretching and expanding how I use the supplies I have save me money and cause me to get crafty with cooking. Do you have an unconventional use for a conventional tool? Comment below!