Miscellaneous
Cheap and Easy, but Healthy Meals for Students Living in a Boarding House: Omelette with Sambal Dabu-Dabu
Many students who live in boarding houses often feel confused about what food they should eat every day. Their daily life is usually filled with tight schedules, assignments, group projects, and deadlines. They often spend hours working on tasks, attending classes, or preparing presentations, which leave them with very little time to cook. In addition, limited financial resources make it difficult for them to buy proper meals regularly. Because of this, many students rely on instant noodles or eat simple meals without proper nutrition, which are not healthy in the long term.
In situations like this, students need a meal that is not only cheap and quick to prepare, but also nutritious and satisfying. One simple solution is to make a vegetable omelette and serve it with Sambal Dabu-Dabu. This combination is easy to cook, uses affordable ingredients, and provide a balanced meal. The omelette offers protein and energy, while the sambal adds a fresh, spicy, and flavorful taste. Together, they create a comforting meal that is suitable for busy students.
An omelette is a simple dish made from eggs and vegetables, and it is very suitable for students because it is easy to cook and does not require many tools. The ingredients are also cheap and easy to find in small shops or traditional markets. Students only need eggs, cabbage, and spring onions to make a basic vegetable omelette. The preparation is quick, and the cooking process only takes a few minutes, making it ideal for students with limited time.
To prepare this meal, students can follow these simple steps.
Steps to Make Omelette with Sambal Dabu-Dabu
First, prepare all the ingredients.
For the omelette:
3 egg
1 spring onion (chopped)
A pinch of salt
A pinch of Pepper
For Sambal Dabu-Dabu:
5–7 bird’s eye chilies
1 red tomato
1 green tomato
2 shallots
1 small red onion
1 lime
1 or 2 tablespoon hot oil
Salt and sugar (optional)
Steps to Make the Omelette:
First, crack the egg into a bowl. Make sure no eggshell fall inside the bowl.
Add the chopped spring onion into the egg. Then add a pinch of salt and pepper.
Mix everything using a fork or spoon until the egg and ingredients are evenly combined and slightly foamy.
Prepare a frying pan and heat it on medium heat for about 30–60 seconds.
Add 1 or 2 tablespoon of oil into the pan and wait until the oil is hot (you can see small bubbles or the oil looks shiny).
Pour the egg mixture slowly into the pan. Make sure it spread evenly on the surface.
Let the omelette cook without stirring for about 1–2 minutes until the bottom become firm and slightly golden.
Carefully flip the omelette using a spatula. Be careful so it not break.
Cook the other side for another 1–2 minutes until both sides are fully cooked and golden brown.
Turn off the heat, then remove the omelette from the pan and place it on a plate.
Steps to Make Sambal Dabu-Dabu:
First, wash all ingredients (chilies, tomatoes, shallots, and onion) using clean water to remove dirt.
Slice the bird’s eye chilies into small pieces. You can adjust the amount based on how spicy you want.
Cut the red tomato and green tomato into small cubes so it easy to mix.
Thinly slice the shallots and red onion.
Put all the chopped ingredients into a bowl and mix them slightly.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small pan until it is really hot (almost smoking but not burned).
Carefully pour the hot oil into the bowl of sambal ingredients. This step helps release the aroma and make the flavor stronger.
Cut the lime into two parts, then squeeze the juice into the mixture. Remove the seeds if any fall inside.
Add a pinch of salt and a little sugar if needed to balance the taste.
Mix everything well using a spoon until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Let the sambal sit for about 5–10 minutes so the flavors can blends together and become more delicious.
Finally, serve the vegetable omelette with warm rice and Sambal Dabu-Dabu. The omelette provides a soft and savory texture, while the sambal adds a fresh, spicy, and slightly sour taste. This combination creates a simple yet delicious and satisfying meal.
Omelette served with Sambal Dabu-Dabu is a perfect solution for students living in boarding houses. It is cheap, easy, and quick to make, and does not require complicated tools. With simple ingredients and a short cooking time, students can enjoy a nutritious and delicious meal even with limited time and budget. This recipe shows that even with simple resources, students can still eat well and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
