Whether you're a picky eater or just looking to shake up your usual lunch or dinner routine, creating your own food combinations with Phelps is a fun way to add new flavors to your palate.
Hope College Dining Services states on its website that it is committed to providing “sustainably-driven, thoughtfully prepared, high-quality, nutritious meals and exceptional service.” These efforts are evident in the variety of food options offered each week. Staff strive to incorporate a variety of cuisines and respect various dietary needs (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). They also add special menu items for holidays and seasons, including student favorites like a chocolate fountain on Valentine's Day.
“Phelps is a funny place. I have a lot of love for it in my heart, but I'm a picky eater, so sometimes Phelps doesn't have the options I want,” says Elizabeth Bendle, 27. “As a camp counselor, I know how to food hack, so I think, 'How can I get creative with Phelps?' And maybe it works out in the end. I might as well have fun, since I'm paying a lot of money for this food plan.”
On days when you want to eat something specific or don't want the food that's served, Phelps' setting is the perfect “design your own” option. This is especially true for desserts and snacks. We've compiled some creative options below. While by no means exhaustive, these ideas will inspire you with a new excitement and appreciation for the bounty of eating and sharing with others.
- Panini Press Pizza
Bendle creates mini pizzas with a base of naan or pita bread (usually from the Greek za'atar station), marinara sauce (from the pasta station), and a sprinkling of cheese of your choice from the salad bar. Once assembled, wrap it in extra parchment paper and place it in a panini press for a few seconds, being careful not to burn it. Then enjoy your custom pizza.
- Trail Mix
This is an easy option for anyone looking for an energy-boosting snack: grab a bowl and fill it with dry foods like Cheerios (or other types of cereal), nuts, and salad toppings.
- Brownie or Cookie Milkshake
Another tasty idea from Bendle is to make a milkshake by putting ice cream in a cup and adding a little milk (the more milk you use, the thinner the milkshake will be). Stir with a spoon, crumble some brownies or cookies into the cup and mix again. Drizzle with chocolate sauce for extra sweetness.
- Panini-shaped cookies
This is a well-known method among students, but it's worth mentioning. Wrap the cookies in parchment paper and place them in a panini press to crisp them up. Be careful not to let them burn and serve with milk or tea. If you have two cookies, you can also make ice cream sandwiches.
- Bagel Sandwich
If students get tired of the panini press, Bendle suggests swapping out the bread for a toasted bagel. “You might get some funny looks from the lovely ladies making your sandwiches, but ask for no bread and put all your toppings on the bagel. It makes the sandwich taste so much better.” Another tip: try cutting the bacon at the sandwich bar in a panini press, which Bendle says makes the sandwiches “crispy and tasty.”
When asked what she likes most and least about eating at college, Bendle cited the opportunity to casually grab a meal with friends and the convenience of not having to cook or prepare anything. “Sometimes I don't like the options, but there's always food I can go get.”
While food opinions and preferences vary widely, there is no doubt that dining at Phelps is a central part of the Hope experience. By incorporating the ideas above or coming up with your own, students can be creative and have fun while they learn.
(Featured image credit: Nico Kazlauskas)