We’ve all had those days; dragging classes back-to-back, with barely any time to eat in between. Finally dinnertime rolls around, so you stroll into Saga only to be met with disappointment; the pork chops look dry and the burgers are exactly the same as they were yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that.
What else can you eat? Here are 3 do-it-yourself meals that can be made with ingredients found throughout the dining hall.
Pizza Bagels
Toast a bagel and spread sauce from the pasta bar on top. Sprinkle cheese from the salad bar over that and pop it in the microwave downstairs (next to the desert bar, the one upstairs is strictly allergen/gluten free!) to help the cheese melt. Top it off with whatever you can think of: bacon bits, bits of sliced turkey or ham, peppers, onions, the works!
Bonus: Breakfast Pizza Bagels!
Toast yourself another bagel (English muffins work well too!) and make your way upstairs to the breakfast line. Drizzle some syrup, hot sauce, or ketchup, whatever you’re about, on the bread and then layer scrambled eggs on top. Sprinkle some cheese, or not, and cut up some sausage or crumble some bacon to top it off!
Cheese Fries
Pile the cheese on top of a plate of French fries. Microwave until melted, and add anything you feel like on top. Is there meat sauce at the pasta bar today? Have some knock-off chili cheese fries. Trying to be healthy? Make a little salad on top for something different – fries are kind of like croutons. Crumble up a burger or chicken patty for makeshift nachos; fries are closer to chips than they are croutons!
Mac ‘N Cheese
In keeping with the common theme (can you tell where my heart lies?), add as much shredded cheese as your little heart desires to a bowl of plain pasta. Add a splash or two of milk (if you’d like it to be creamier) and nuke it in the microwave until the cheese is nice and melt-y. The time depends on how big your bowl of pasta is and how much cheese you’ve added, but 30-45 seconds should do the trick. Feeling fancy? Toss in some bacon bits or broccoli. Whatever you feel like!
But what about when there’s a foot of snow on the ground? Or it’s 2am? Or maybe you’re just lazy, I won’t judge.
Here are 3 snack ideas to spice up your fridge and calm your hunger.
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
This isn’t what you think. Slice a banana (try stealing some from Saga! Maybe they’ll ripen after a day or two??) and spread peanut butter on half of the slices. Then, put the other half on top – easy peasy! This’ll work with any spread, of course: Nutella, jelly/jam, vegemite if that’s what you’re in to… If you’re feeling really adventurous, try making PB&J or PB&N(utella) sandwiches! Store them in the freezer for a quick and accessible snack/energy boost!
Ice Cream
Again, not what you think. If you’re one of the few of us that have brought a blender to college, toss a banana or two in that baby and hit puree. If you’re not one of us, I imagine that mashing the banana will be similarly effective. Pour your tortured banana(s) into a bowl/mug/cup and sprinkle in your favorite candies, granolas, dried fruits, and etcetera. Mix it up a little, freeze, and voila! A slightly healthier, potassium-filled dessert.
S’mores
If you have a lighter, use it to brown a marshmallow. If not, you can put it in the microwave a little at time, but if you’re not careful it will burst all over the inside of your appliance. You know the rest – place it on a cracker (of the graham variety) with some chocolate. I personally like my chocolate intact, but if you like yours softer/meltier than by all means microwave that for a few seconds, too!