Cooking on the Meal Plan
My older sister graduated from culinary school, and so naturally, cooking is in my blood. However, Vanderbilt requires that all students who live on-campus purchase a meal plan. In an effort to not waste money, I try to cook with groceries that are on the meal plan.
We have little stores called Munchie Marts, and they sell items that are prepared (frozen food, chips, sandwiches etc.) or that must be prepared (broccoli, squash, fruit etc.). Highland Munchie Mart even has a vegetable butcher, who can wash and chop your veggies. Below are some of my favorite recipes that can be cooked with all or mostly Highland Munchie Mart items!
Stir-Fry – all meal-plan items + olive oil and soy sauce
- Go to highland Munchie Mart and get a salad with all your favorite veggies and/or proteins. I usually choose broccoli, onions, edamame, cauliflower, and tofu.
- Purchase rice from a Munchie Mart, as well. I like the brown rice from Highland Munchie.
- Sautee the veggies on medium-high heat in olive oil until the veggies are cooked to your liking.
- Mix in the soy sauce and optional protein.
- Microwave the rice according to instructions on the package.
- Pour veggies over rice.
- Enjoy!
Strawberry Spinach Salad – all meal-plan items
- Use your meal swipe to purchase spinach, onion, and balsamic from the salad bar, a carton of fresh strawberries, and a pack of almonds.
- Cut up the strawberries, mix all of the ingredients together, and enjoy!
Spicy Ham Omelet – all meal-plan items + eggs
- Use a meal swipe to purchase spinach, onions, ham, and shredded cheese from the salad bar.
- Purchase eggs elsewhere and crack 3 eggs into a bowl and scramble the eggs.
- Sautee the veggies and ham for about 5 minutes on medium heat and then add in the eggs.
- Cook and flip until eggs are no longer runny.
- Add cheese and fold omelet so it melts the cheese inside.
- Enjoy!