We did it. We’ve been back at school for over a month. While this may mean you’ve now finally memorized your class schedule and are back into the swing of clubs and activities, it also means you’re officially over everything Bruff has to serve. But fear not, these five grain bowl recipes are fairly healthy, relatively simple, and tasty enough to convince you to cash in on a meal swipe.
1. Mediterranean-Inspired Bowl
The Basics: Start with a base of quinoa and add tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, red onion, and feta from the salad bar. Grab banana peppers from the wrap line and add a spoonful of hummus. Garnish with a lemon wedge from the water station.
Upgrade: Make your own version of tzatziki by combining Greek yogurt, cut-up pieces of cucumber, ground pepper, and the juice of a lemon wedge.
2. Harvest Bowl
The Basics: Start with a base of quinoa or any other grain from the salad bar and then add kale, red onion, and broccoli. Place in the microwave for 60-90 seconds. Top with pieces of chicken and cut-up sweet potato and finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar (located at the end of the salad bar, near the fruit).
Upgrade: If you have the patience for using a dull table knife to cut up a Granny Smith apple, then add some slices or cubes for a nice crunch.
3. “Stir-Fry” Bowl
The Basics: Start with a base of quinoa or rice, and add spinach, red onion, shredded carrot, bell peppers, mushrooms, and tofu from the salad bar. Add a dash of soy sauce (normally can be found on some of the tables) and squeeze on a lime wedge from the water station. Microwave for 60-90 seconds.
Upgrade: If the fruit station is serving pineapple, throw some in for some complementary sweetness.
4. Taco Bowl
The Basics: Start with a base of quinoa or rice and add spinach, corn, bell pepper, red onion, beans, and shredded cheese from the salad bar. Add a scoop of chicken from the wrap line and microwave your bowl for 90 seconds. Go to the taco station and add toppings such as jalapeños and diced tomatoes.
Upgrade: Depending on what soup is being served that day, there may be some tortilla strips at the soup station that you can add. And if you really want the complete taco bowl experience, bring in an avocado from the farmer’s market and top your bowl with slices.
5. Breakfast Bowl
The Basics: Start with a base of quinoa (no more than one full scoop) and add a layer of granola from the cereal bar. Add some slices of banana and a big spoonful of peanut butter. Pour a little bit of vanilla almond milk into the bowl and microwave for 90 seconds (be warned, contents will be hot post-microwaving). Top with remaining banana slices. You can also add extra fruit or honey for more sweetness.
Upgrade: Get fancy with your milks. Try chocolate almond milk or coconut milk to switch things up.
So there you have it, folks. I know these grain bowl recipes have gradually restored my faith in the Bruff Commons Dining Hall, so all I can do is hope they do the same for you.