Though school’s been in session for only about a month, chances are you’re starting to get sick of eating the same cafeteria food day in and day out.
However, with just a few simple tricks and a little bit of imagination, the standard fare that school cafeterias offer can become the ingredients needed to make gourmet meals.
Make the old standbys new and exciting, and put your meal plan to use by trying our creative ways to give caf food an upgrade!
Whip up Bruschetta
Bread plus salad bar tomatoes plus some seasonings can make an instant appetizer. Chop up the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Add a dash of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, along with salt and pepper to taste. Then, mix it all up. Serve on slices of toasted bread and enjoy. Buon appetito!
Steam Veggies
If the soggy cooked vegetables that are normally a cafeteria standby aren’t your thing, make your own fresh steamed veggies. Take some raw veggies from the salad bar (think broccoli, peppers and snap peas) and microwave them in a bowl with a little bit of water until they’re crisp and cooked. Season as desired and serve as a side or main dish.
Top Your Pizza
The cafeteria is full of potential pizza toppings. You just have to find them! Take a slice of plain cheese pizza and top it with veggies/dressings from the salad bar, meat from the deli station or condiments to help give your meal some pizazz.
Spice it Up
Bring your own spices to make bland vegetables, pizza, mystery meat and more have some flair and flavor. Premixed seasoning blends or plain spices are great sprinkled on top of everything.
Experiment with different flavor combinations until you find your favorites, and then stick with them.Make a Float
Take advantage of the endless soda fountain and soft serve found in most college cafeterias by making your own float! Fill a cup halfway with soft serve, and then top it off with the soda or juice of your choice. Go with a classic root beer float or come up with your own! The combinations are endless. Vanilla soft serve with orange soda makes a great creamsicle float, while sherbet mixed with lemon-lime soda provides a refreshing twist.
Fold a Burrito
If you’re craving some south-of-the-border flavor and can’t wait until Taco Tuesday, try making your own burrito! Take a plain tortilla (or pita pocket if you can’t find any) and fill it with vegetables and beans from the salad bar, cheese from the deli station, meat from the entrée section and salsa or condiments of your choosing. Fold it all up and chow down! If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try making a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, meat, cheese and salsa.
What cafeteria tricks do you have up your sleeve?
(Feature Photo via Tumblr)