As the first round of midterms rolls around, the only good thing about a long night of studying is the chance to eat late-night snacks. Instead of reaching for yet another pack of ramen, here are a few suggestions to make your next midnight study snack even better.
Bruschetta
If you’re feeling a bit fancy, then bruschetta is the choice for you. The fresh tomatoes and warm bread will leave you refreshed and ready for a late night.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 4-5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 5-6
Ingredients:
1 baguette
2 tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
6-7 basil leaves, thinly sliced
Directions:
1. Cut tomatoes into small cubes and mince garlic.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
2. Place both into small bowl, along with sliced basil leaves and mix in balsamic vinegar and ½ tablespoon olive oil.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
3. Slice baguette into ¾-inch pieces. Assemble slices on oven-friendly pan and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
4. Toast at 450°F on top rack of oven for 4 minutes or until baguette slices are brown around edges.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
5. Remove from oven and top the with tomato-basil mixture.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
TIP: If you don’t own an oven, bagel chips work just as well as a baguette.
Yogurt Parfait Cups
This recipe is perfect for the health-conscious and the fruit lovers out there. The almonds are a wonderful source of vitamin E, and the yogurt is great for your digestive system.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1 cup store-bought Greek yogurt
2 pieces of fruit (apples, oranges, pears; anything really works here)
4 ounces homemade or store-bought granola
Handful almonds or various nuts
Handful chocolate chips
Handful honey or brown sugar
Directions:
1. Cut fruit into bite-sized pieces and toast granola.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
2. Layer bottom of bowl with Greek yogurt; then, add granola and fruit to next layer.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
3. Top with almonds, chocolate chips and brown sugar to taste.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all ingredients are used up.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
Spinach and Artichoke Mac’n’Cheese
For the moments when we realize failing that midterm is inevitable, this mac’n cheese recipe works wonders to ease the pain.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2-3
Ingredients:
1 can artichokes
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup mascarpone
1 ounce shredded Gouda
½ box Kraft macaroni shells
Directions:
1. Cook macaroni shells as directed. Drain excess liquid and set aside.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
2. Heat olive oil in a medium pot and add minced garlic.
3. When garlic becomes fragrant, add artichokes and sauté for 5 minutes.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
4. Add fresh spinach and cook until spinach is soft and dark.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
5. Add mascarpone and Gouda and stir mixture.
Photo by Holly Birchfield
6. After cheese has thoroughly melted, add cooked macaroni shells to spinach-cheese mixture.
Photo Courtesy of Holly Birchfield
TIP: If you are a huge mac n’ cheese fan who has a little extra time, you can find a fall inspired recipe here.
Note to all you Cal Bears who live in the dorms: Many of the items on this list are available at Bear Market and Cub Market, conveniently open late. Check out their hours here.