<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that both Freshmen and Sophomores must have an unlimited meal plan, with fewer Wave Bucks to spare, getting creative in the Commons has never been more essential. I&#8217;m a firm believer that eating at the dining hall is what you make of it. No matter what&#8217;s on the menu, there&#8217;s always a way to turn it into something you actually want to eat. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the Commons, I&#8217;m here to share my top hacks and recipes to make your Tulane dining experience as enjoyable as possible.</span></p>
<h2><b>Preparation</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before diving into recipes, let&#8217;s talk strategy. First things first: check the menu before you go. This simple step saves time, helps you plan your meal, and spares you from wandering through the upstairs and downstairs levels doing the &#8220;Commons lap.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another major hack? ReusePass. As a college student, I often feel like I am in a race against time, trying to balance classes, club meetings, and study sessions. With ReusePass, you don&#8217;t have to sacrifice a meal even when you don&#8217;t have time to sit down and eat. Reusepass lets you get the most out of your dining plan by taking your food to go in a sustainable container and eating it later. It&#8217;s honestly a game-changer for anyone on the move.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another tip: don’t be afraid to mix things from different stations, and don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t come out right. There is a lot of trial and error that goes into finding recipes that work for you. It takes time and patience to create your personalized commons menu, but the more foods and combinations you try, the better your meals will be. </span></p>
<h2><b>Recipes</b></h2>
<h3><b>Build-a-Bowl: The Commons Classic</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When nothing looks appealing at any of the stations, I go straight into DIY mode. My go-to move? A salad or rice bowl.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I usually start at the salad bar, going straight for iceberg lettuce and kale, tomatoes, bacon bits, croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, and balsamic dressing. From there, I hunt down some protein. If the Commons has chicken sandwiches that day, I&#8217;ll grab one, cut up the grilled chicken, and add it to my bowl. Otherwise, I head to the sandwich station and ask for a scoop of chicken to add in.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next stop: the soup station. If they&#8217;re serving white or yellow rice, I throw in a spoonful to bulk things up. Finally, I return to the sandwich counter for a squeeze of chipotle mayo to tie everything together.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pro tip: grab some hummus and pita on the side, and toast your pita so it&#8217;s warm and crispy. Find your favorite spot (mine&#8217;s the upstairs couch tables), pour yourself a crisp Diet Coke, and you&#8217;ve got yourself a Commons masterpiece.</span></p>
<h3><b>Get Saucy</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fastest way to level up a Commons meal is with the right sauce combo. My signature mix:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1 part mayo</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1 part ketchup</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2 dashes of malt vinegar</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2 dashes of Cholula</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A sprinkle of Creole seasoning</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Black pepper to taste</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mix it all and dip your curly fries in for the perfect side to your dinner.</span></p>
<h3><b>Breakfast Boosts</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Honestly, Commons eggs can be&#8230; a bit sad. The fix? Seasoning is your best friend. I load mine up with Tajín, chipotle mayo, black pepper, and hot sauce. Suddenly, those eggs not only have protein but also flavor. Craving something sweet for breakfast? Hit the waffle maker and mix in Oreo bits from the yogurt station. Now you&#8217;ve got yourself an Oreo waffle, complete with just enough sugar to get you through your day.</span></p>
<h3><b>Dessert Time</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you haven&#8217;t tried the warm gluten-free cookies upstairs or the apple pie dessert pizza, you&#8217;re missing out. My hack: top either one with some ice cream to make a cookie sundae or apple pie à la mode. As someone who needs a sweet treat after every meal, I promise this trick is just what you need to satisfy your sugar addiction.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the end of the day, the Commons is what you make it. With a bit of creativity (and the right sauces), you can turn even the worst Commons day into something delicious. So next time you swipe in, skip the complaints, get creative, and channel your inner Commons chef.</span></p>
<p> ;</p>
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Commons Cuisine: How to Survive on the Unlimited Meal Plan
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