In a world of unlimited swipes, endless fro-yo, and “Sunday Sundaes,” it seems fair to reason that Even better, no one will tell you to, “Make sure there is enough food for everyone,” or question, “Are you sure you want another slice of pizza?” However, as exhilarating as the dining hall may seem at first, it will eventually get old (shocking, I know).
The dining hall may be one of the most exciting and overwhelming aspects of college. During the first few weeks of school, you are thrilled at the prospect of free chocolate cookies, mac ‘n’ cheese, and on a lucky day, chicken nuggets. It may be a gradual stream of consciousness that if you eat another piece of grilled chicken, you are going to turn into one, or a more sudden realization that the lasagna is starting to resemble your mother’s mystery meatloaf. After a while, you get a little tired of the dining hall food. Here are a few of my favorite meals to make in the dining hall when I want to eat something different:
1. Parfait: Greek yogurt, a spoonful of jam, granola, and sliced fruit (peaches, apples, nectarines, etc.). Essentially the perfect breakfast – just enough food to get you through that 8:30AM class, but no worries, you’ll get to stop by again for lunch.
2. The Ultimate Panini: two slices of bread, peanut butter, sliced banana, and honey, toast in panini until warm. If you’re not big on deli meat (such as myself), this “sandwich” is exactly what you need to power through a long day. If you’re feeling bold, swap the honey for Nutella.
3. Fruity Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, peach slices, pear slices, apple slices, craisins, parmesan cheese, and raspberry-lime dressing. Probably not exactly what you were thinking, but this salad put an interesting twist on leafy greens (because how many times can you really eat a Caesar salad?)
4. Pasta Primavera: a bowl of pasta, steamed vegetables (I’d recommend broccoli and cauliflower), parmesan cheese, chicken, and olive oil. If you’re not big on veggies, this pasta dish is the perfect way to bring some green into your everyday dining.
5. Burrito: a tortilla, sliced steak or chicken, rice, shredded cheese, lettuce, onions, peppers, and beans. Wrap all of the ingredients in a well-folded tortilla, and you have a homemade Chipotle burrito! It will taste almost as good as the real deal.
6. Milkshake: soft-serve ice cream and milk. Maybe the easiest recipe in the book – put the ingredients in a cup and stir together. M&M’s, whipped cream, and other various toppings are always a plus.
Photos courtesy of: Tuftsdining.tumbler.com