vlpallad's Blog

Daily Dining Hall Dishes - January 30

A bowl of easy-to-make oatmeal with bananas and peanut butter is just what you need to wake up on a Sunday morning.

Brunch
Omelet with -
mushrooms
green peppers
diced ham

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
-mix all ingredients in a bowl
1 cup oatmeal
1 small/medium banana, chopped into small pieces
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons walnuts
sprinkle with cinnamon

Dinner
Manicotti with Italian Side Salad
2 pieces manicotti
1/2 cup Italian mixed vegetables, on the side

side salad-
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup cucumber
1/4 cup red onion, sliced
1/4 cup black olives
1/4 cup red pepper, sliced
dress with basil olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper

3/4 cup ice cream

Daily Dining Hall Dishes - January 29

Start the weekend off right with an apple-pancake brunch!

Brunch
Apple Pancakes with Cran-Apple Fruit Salad
Pancakes-
2 pancakes
1/4 cup apple topping
1/4 cup whipped cream
3 bacon slices, on the side

Salad-
1 medium apple, chopped into small pieces
1/3 cup grapes
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons walnuts
dress with a splash of orange juice for added flavor

Dinner
1 piece grilled chicken
1/2 cup broccoli rice bake
1 cup vegetable soup
1 piece cheesecake

What we're reading: January 28

A round-up of food-related articles and recipes we're digging into today.

What we're reading:

 

Chefs and the (other) "F" word

(CNN Eatocracy) Have you ever really thought about the definition of a "foodie?" Apparently restaurant owners and waiters know exactly what they're talking about when they refer to someone using the "F" word - and it's no compliment. Chefs and food professionals often see foodies as, to quote Jason Sheehan of Seattle Weekly in the article, "coup-counting, lock-jawed, cake-eating, nose-in-the-air dimwits." Unfortunately, a small sector of overzealous foodies have become almost too elitist in their love of food that they put off those who have spent their lives perfecting the food industry to the best of their abilities. Next time you call yourself the "F" word, you may want to clarify yourself (especially if a chef is nearby).

 

Varieties of Girl Scout Cookies Reduced

(Slashfood) The headline might make you gasp (as it did me), but never fear - you'll still be able to buy your Thin Mints. The new Super Six program is Girl Scout's way to maximze profits by restricting the flavors of the cookies they sell to only their greatest attractions. Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Samoas are all safe, however varieties such as U-Berry-Munch and All Abouts may retire into the cupboard for good. I might be the only one, but I never knew that Girl Scout's made cookies other than Thin Mints and Samoas... have I been living under a rock?

 

James Franco, Jon Stewart, and Us

(The Sporkful) So this is more utensil-related than food-related, but the entertainment value makes it very important to me! The Sporkful blog (the web site extention of The Sporkful podcast, a podcast that I think is a requirement for all who love to laugh and love to eat) posted this video of James Franco on The Daily Show. Amidst a perilous crisis while backstage, James Franco resorts to attempting to cut of his arm with a spork after it's been pinned under a mini fridge. James Franco, Jon Stewart, and a spork... comedy at its finest.

 

What we're coveting:


Egg and Cheese on a Bagel: The Quest for the Best

(The New York Times) An egg and cheese bagel sandwich is nostalic to me - it's one of the first things I ever learned how to make on my own. "Mr. Critic" Sam Sifton is correct when he describes breakfast sandwiches as "like dry cleaners.... Ask around and you’ll discover that the best ones are invariably those closest to the home of the person you’ve asked." In fact, the first egg and cheese bagel that came to my mind (other than my homemade ones), was the egg and cheese bagel from my home town's little bagel shop, C&D's Bagels - perfection... well, at least to me, my best friend, and our entire high school.

 

What we want to cook:

 

Nacho recipes

(KitchenDaily) The best part of the Super Bowl for me is the food. The game is basically an excuse to gather together with friends, switch on a football game in the background, and scream at each other in good, fun competition while continually munching on some of the best snack foods ever. KitchenDaily provides a bunch of nacho variations that will be sure to impress your football-fanatic friends. My favorite combos are the Nachos with Black Beans and Mango, and the Feta Nachos!

 

Daily Dining Hall Dishes - January 28

Sausages, salmon, and scallops - oh my!

Create your own delicious sausage and pepper bagel for lunch and indulge in a seafood feast at dinnertime!

Breakfast
2 blueberry waffles
1 small egg white omelet
1 cup cantaloupe
1 cup apple juice

Lunch
Open-Faced Sausage and Pepper Bagel
-place all ingredients atop bagel halves and enjoy!
1 bagel, sliced in half (preferably wheat or onion)
1 polish sausage or bratwurst, sliced
1/2 cup peppers and onions
2-3 tomato slices
sprinkle of oregano and red pepper flakes

1 medium pear


Dinner
Seafood Medley
1 piece grilled salmon
1/2 cup fried scallops
2 tablespoons tartar sauce
1/3 cup spinach
1/3 cup brown rice
salt and pepper to taste

1 Dream bar

Daily Dining Hall Dishes - January 27

Take a trip to the Mediterranean on your lunch break.

Pretzels dipped in hummus and a salad of salty feta cheese, sweet tomatoes, and fresh peppers are great side dishes to complete your Greek lunch menu!

Breakfast
1/2 cup grits
1 piece banana French toast
1 cup skim milk

small fruit salad
1/4 cup grapes
1/4 cup pineapple chunks
1 medium orange, peeled and sectioned

Lunch - “It’s All Greek to Me”
1/3 cup pretzels
2 tablespoons Chipotle hummus (for dipping)

1/2 cup Greek-style couscous salad
1/2 cup Chicken Lebanese

Mini Greek Salad
1/4 cup cucumber
1/4 cup red pepper
1/4 cup green pepper
1/4 cup black or Kalamata olives
4-5 cherry tomatoes
sprinkle of feta cheese crumbles
drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar

Dinner
1 1/2 cups Vegetable Barley Soup
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1/2 cup acorn squash
1/4 cup peas
1 piece fruit pie

Daily Dining Hall Dishes - January 26

Chinese food doesn't have to mean piling chicken and broccoli, fried rice, and an egg roll on your plate and calling it a meal.

Check out the simple Asian-style salad for dinner. It's super easy to make and complements a Chinese food dinner perfectly!

 

Breakfast

1 whole wheat bagel with peanut butter

1 medium apple

1 cup orange juice

 

Lunch

1 cup cheese tortellini

1/2 cup tuna salad

1/2 cup green beans

1 medium pear

 

Dinner

Asian Salad - mix all ingredients and enjoy!

1 cup romaine lettuce

1/4 cup red onions, sliced

1/4 cup red peppers, sliced

4-5 broccoli florets

1 small orange or clementine, peeled and sectioned

2 tablespoons watercress

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

2 tablespoons Asian vinaigrette, or olive oil, to dress

sprinkle of crunchy noodles, if desired

 

3/4 cup beef & mushrooms

1 egg rolls (southwestern, shrimp, or pork)

1 piece raspberry chocolate mousse cake

Daily Dining Hall Dishes - January 25

Your daily meal-by-meal guide to getting the most from dining hall food.

We've all had that feeling - you swipe your card at the nearest dining hall, walk in, and are immediately bombarded with what seems to be endless options for you to create a meal. It doesn't take students too long to realize, however, that dining hall food can get repetative... fast. You don't have to dread dining hall dishes anymore because there are plenty of ways to create new, tasty meals from what you're served.

Each day I'll share a unique menu guide for breakfast, lunch, and dinner using dining hall selections that anyone can recreate on their plates. So what are you waiting for? You've had a long day - get down there and eat!

 

Breakfast

two pancakes

one medium banana (sliced and atop pancakes)

1/3 cup scrambled eggs

1 cup milk

 

Lunch

1 cup tomato soup

1/2 Turkey wrap (or BLT if you prefer)

1 large apple

OPTIONAL: small side salad

3/4 cup romaine lettuce

1/4 cup cucumbers

1/4 cup baby carrots

1/4 cup cherry tomatoes

olive oil

salt

pepper

 

Dinner

1 piece Cajun chicken

1/2 cup Horsey scalloped potatoes

1/3 cup broccoli spears

1/3 cup butternut squash

1 piece chocolate cream pie OR 1 chocolate chip cookie

Fresh Spinach Salad

Sample the fresh spread from your dining hall's salad bar with this tasty spinach dish.

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh spinach

2 tablespoons edamame

2 tablespoons black olives

4-6 cherry tomatoes, cut in halves if desired

4-5 broccoli florets

a few slices of red onion

olive oil

salt

pepper

 

Preparations:

Mix spinach, edamame, black olives, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and red onion together in a plate or bowl.

Dress with olive oil, salt, and pepper as desired.