The semester is winding down, the weather is getting pretty depressing, what is left of your bank account is dwindling and all you can think about are those looming finals coming up right after break. Let’s face it, you need a cheap, easy and fun pick-me-up with your friends before you leave for Thanksgiving.

I know what you’re thinking: Why would I waste my time attempting to recreate a sub par Thanksgiving via microwave when my mom’s homemade stuffing is merely mouthwatering moments away?  My answer to that is, well, touche. Yes, the turkey heated by electromagnetic waves that you will be forced to eat on that mysterious Branscomb carpet will most likely not live up to your carefully basted turkey at home.

However, the years you’ve spent at Vandy have brought you and your pals to be more like family than friends, and why not celebrate that by “cooking” and then stuffing yourself into a food coma with your best mates? I guarantee they will be more fun company to chug spiked apple cider with than your recently divorced aunt and more aesthetically pleasing to look at than your sun-spotted, half-balding grandpa digging into your cranberry sauce.
So wipe off the Hot Pocket residue that exploded in your microwave three weeks ago and get excited for Thanksgiving, dorm style.  

First things first: Turkey
I recommend buying pre-cooked, pre-sliced, fresh, whole turkey from Whole Foods, Harris Teeter or HoneyBaked Ham, however the latter will probably be the most convenient and least expensive. They offer an oven-roasted turkey that is slow-cooked and pre-sliced with a sweet glaze over it, making it tender and juicy. Running at $24.95 and feeding 6-8 people, this bird will only cost you and your friends a few bucks each and no hassle at all.

StoveTop turkey stuffing
Directions:
Mix contents of stuffing mix pouch and 1-1/2 cups hot water in a microwaveable bowl.
Top evenly with 1/4 cup hot water, spread and cover.
Microwave on high for five to six minutes or until heated through.
Fluff with fork and serve.

The dish on side dishes
Rice casserole
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups instant rice
1 (15 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
2 (10 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 pound butter, cubed
Directions:
In a 9x11 inch microwave-safe dish, mix together the rice, French onion soup, mushroom soup and butter.
Cook in microwave oven on high power for 10 minutes or until boiling.
Decrease power to medium, stir and cook for 20 minutes.
Serve when all liquid is absorbed.

Cauliflower gratin … kind of
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients:
1 medium head of cauliflower broken into florets
1/4 cup water
1 cup sour cream
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Place the cauliflower and water in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover and cook on high for four and a half minutes and stir.
Cook four to six minutes longer or until tender and then drain.
Combine sour cream, salt and pepper and spoon over the cauliflower.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Microwave, uncovered, on high for one and a half minutes or until cheese is melted.

Potatoes made simple
Simply Potatoes makes delicious and easy mashed potatoes that are perfect for Thanksgiving in the dorm. You can find them in the refrigerator section of any grocery store, and all you need to do is pop them the microwave and serve. The creamy spuds come in traditional flavor, country style, garlic, and sour cream and chive.  
You can also spice up the dishes with whatever else tickles your fancy. For instance, I like to buy the traditional flavor and add a little bit of butter and salt on top before I microwave it for an extra creamy texture.  
They also make a delicious microwaveable sweet potato dish. For this, simply heat up the package according to their instruction and sprinkle some miniature marshmallows on top when there are 15 seconds left to add some delectable gooeyness.

Cranberry sauce
One of the best cranberry sauces you can buy, called Pilgrim Joe’s, can be found at Trader Joe’s, which is great for you because one just opened near Green Hills Mall! However, I know you probably don’t care enough about cranberry sauce to go all the way to Trader Joe’s, so I am allowing you to buy the Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce. Just plop it out of the can and serve.

Almost apple pie
Yield: 6 Servings
Ingredients:
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Directions:
Spread the apples evenly in an 8-inch square microwaveable dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon and allspice.
Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apples.
Cook on full power in the microwave for 10 to 12 minutes, or until apples can easily be pierced with a knife.