Roommate Recipes: Foods that Break the Ice

Story by Kelsey Wooten
Photo by Anne Langan

Imagine you’re moving into your new place with roommates you haven’t met yet.

Conversation topics can be hard to find and shared silences can make things awkward. The internal questions arise immediately: “Will we hangout tonight?” “What will we talk about?” “Will forced laughs be a thing?”

The stress of making a good impression on people you will be sharing the next year of your life with can weigh heavy on your nervous system.

But, have you ever considered there is a way to make a good impression without saying anything at all?

There is, and the answer is food. First, everyone loves people who bring treats. Second, chewing gives you extra time to think about what to say, and finally, food is intended to be shared.

So, here are some easy recipes to get the conversation started.

Corn Crack

Ingredients:

1 can corn

½  can black beans

½  can black-eyed peas

½ cup chopped peppers (red, green, yellow)

1/3 cup red onions

¼ cup sugar

1/8 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Mix the corn, black beans, black-eyed peas, peppers and onions in a serving bowl. Boil olive oil and sugar, let cool, and pour over the mixed vegetables.

Stir. Chill. Serve with your chips of choice!

Peanut Butter & Banana Pinwheels

Ingredients:

1 whole wheat tortilla wrap

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1 banana

Directions:

Spread peanut butter onto whole wheat tortilla wrap.

Roll banana in wrap (feel free to add a touch of sweetness with chocolate or caramel chips).

Cut into sushi rolls. Chill or lightly microwave, then share!

Turkey Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Ingredients:

1 package turkey bacon

1 fresh pineapple

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup barbecue sauce

Wooden toothpicks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut pineapple into chunks. Wrap with turkey bacon and use toothpick to fasten.

Mix brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and barbecue sauce together. Use a brush to coat the wrapped bacon and pineapple with mix.

Put in oven for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!