Is anyone up for some mono, or maybe the flu? It’s cold season, and the salad bar has morphed into a bacterial bar. No need to abandon your fervent effort to not go broke by the end of first semester, however. There are still some viable healthy options in the dining halls. Just stick to the hot, steaming stuff as it is less likely to harbor illness–carrying bacteria.
If you are too dismayed by the cough of the person in the buffet line in front of you, you can minimize your food costs by stocking up on dining hall goodies that can be combined with items available at Gourmet or Fresh Grocer to make a healthy meal or snack. Save those excess calories for when the parental units stop by.
Modified Bananas Foster:
Quickly ease the cuddling craving that accompanies the cold air with this warm, healthy version of a bananas foster. Start by grabbing a banana from the dining hall. Stick to bananas this time of year. Because be honest with yourself, you’re not washing that apple.
Now hit the heat: A skillet (if available) is optimal, but a microwave gets the job done. Slice your banana down the middle, and then into several smaller pieces. Put 1/3 aside. Cook the rest of the banana with the flat side down until the bottom begins to turn a golden shade. The natural sugars in the banana will caramelize the outside of the flesh, so no need for added sugar.
Mash together the remaining third of the banana with a fork until it becomes smooth. Stir honey and salt into the mashed banana to make a sauce reminiscent of caramel.
It’s time to bring everything together. Add greek yogurt to a bowl. Top with the caramelized bananas, and drizzle a generous amount of the “caramel” over the entire bowl.
Oatmeal Redux:
I know what you’re thinking: boring. While it can be bland, oatmeal is a great, substantive food that will actually fill you up. It’s also hot and steaming, which is a major perk right now. Oatmeal welcomes an array of both sweet and savory toppings that go beyond the basics. Stay calm, I promise these combos will open your mind to oatmeal’s potential.
A lot like a latte:
Multitask by getting your caffeine and food–energy kick at the same time with this combo. Add a dash of your choice of milk to a scoop of oatmeal. Then mix in instant coffee crystals. Top with brown sugar.
PB& J 2.0:
Bring back the childhood favorite with this easy recipe. Simply swirl a dollop of both peanut butter and jelly into the oatmeal until melted. Top the oatmeal with a spoonful of each.
Close to Carbonara:
Take a trip to Italy without the weight gain. Thicken a bowl of oatmeal with milk. Then mix in shaved parmesan, black pepper and olive oil. Top with a cooked egg and bacon slices.
Greek Pizza:
Sticking to heated food doesn’t have to mean loading up on the pizza. Pretend you are basking yourself under the Mediterranean sun with this Greek version of the dining hall staple. Start by heating a pita on a panini press. Then swap the typical tomato sauce for hummus. Top the pita with feta crumbles and olives, and drizzle with olive oil.
Tzatziki Salad:
No need to leave your sun–drenched daydream yet. Keep your taste buds in the Mediterranean by modifying the traditional chicken salad. Cut hot chicken from the buffet and cucumber slices into small pieces. Add a few spoons of yogurt and dashes of olive oil. Toss the ingredients until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Then top with the juice of a lemon wedge, salt and pepper. Use the salad however you like: Pita or bread works well.
Spinach–Artichoke Sandwich:
Make spinach–artichoke dip main course worthy by putting it between bread. Spread cream cheese on top of a slice of bread and sprinkle any available spices on top (garlic powder is ideal). Then stack cheese slices, spinach and artichokes over the bread. Add a dash of salt and pepper. Top with the second slice of bread and press the sandwich into the panini press until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
