Food hacks have become all the rage amid facts and fiction in the cyber realm. Social media platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube, are great places to discover quick and easy recipes that are perfect for those who need a little inspiration. From mindless scrolling on these platforms hours on end, I have come across countless examples of food-inspired content. And so, in this edition of Plugging in with Good Intentions, I’m sharing my favorite recipes for each meal of the day, including dessert, that I have discovered via the Internet and social media.
~Breakfast~
We’ve all heard that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ so why not make it tasty? I love bananas, especially on top of traditional flapjacks. So, when I watched @maddisonskitchen make her own on TikTok, I knew I had to re-create it and share this fun twist on pancakes. Also, if you aren’t a fan of bananas, you can easily replace them with other fruits in this recipe! From sliced strawberries to apples, the possibilities are endless.
Banana Pancake Dippers
What You’ll Need:
- Pancake mix (or you can make it from scratch)
- Bananas (as much as your heart desires)
- Pan
- Oil or butter
- Toppings (ex. syrup, whipped cream, Nutella)
Steps:
- Prepare your pancake mix.
- Slice your bananas.
- Heat up your pan and oil/butter it up.
- Dip each banana slice into your batter and ensure they are fully coated.
- Place each of your banana pancake dippers about an inch away from one another on the pan to cook.
- Once you see bubbles forming, flip them over to cook the other side.
- Cook until your banana pancake dippers are golden brown on each side.
- Serve with toppings, if desired.
~Lunch~
Back in the day, I would bring sandwiches that my mom made for school lunch. Of course, I would be picky and request to have no crust. Then, I discovered Smucker’s Uncrustables and thought they were so convenient. Essentially, they are sealed sandwiches with no crust.
As seen in the picture above, there is a variety of flavors for Uncrustables. Still, if you think about it, they’re chemically processed and frozen. After watching the ‘Trying TikTok Food Hacks’ YouTube video from @merrelltwins, however, I learned that I could make a more nutritional and fresh version of Uncrustables.
DIY Uncrustables
What You’ll Need:
- Bread
- Cup or glass
- Filling (ex. Peanut Butter, Nutella, jelly, fruits, ham, cheese)
- Toaster
Steps:
- Choose your filling (possibilities are endless here).
- Take two slices of bread and spread your filling in the middle of one piece. Be sure to leave space on the outer edges, so your sandwich can be sealed with no leakage.
- Assemble your sandwich by placing the second piece of bread on top of the other.
- Now, use your cup or glass to seal your sandwich by pressing firmly and twisting to remove the crusts.
- You should now have your very own and perfectly sealed DIY Uncrustable.
- You can either eat it just the way it is or toast it. Also, they can be prepared and stored in the freezer for later.
~Snack~
At this time of the day, sometimes all you want is something sweet to satisfy your cravings. One of my favorite snacks is cookies, especially Oreos. Still, it’s fun to try your own twist on an American classic.
And so, as I was scrolling on Pinterest, I came across a quick recipe from @CookingClassy on how to make Oreo Truffles! With the recipe calling for only three ingredients, I knew I had to make some myself and share it with you all.
Oreo Truffles
What You’ll Need:
- Oreos
- Cream Cheese
- Melted Chocolate
Steps:
- Crush Oreos into fine crumbs. This step can be executed in multiple ways. For instance, you can use a food processor, crush them by hand with a fork in a bowl, or by putting the Oreos in a plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
- Add enough cream cheese to your Oreo crumbs, so that your mixture becomes thick or dough-like.
- Now, shape your mixture into round balls.
- Put your Oreo truffles into the freezer to solidify for about 15 minutes.
- Once chilled, dip your Oreo truffles into melted chocolate.
- You can also add toppings such as additional Oreo crumbs and sprinkles.
~Dinner~
Now, if you’re a regular user of TikTok you might be familiar with this meal I’m about to share with you. One food hack that went viral in early 2021 was Baked Feta Pasta. After watching the TikTok from @feelgoodfoodie, I knew I had to make some myself.
Baked Feta Pasta
What You’ll Need:
- Pasta
- Feta Cheese
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic
- Basil (if you want to be fancy)
- Baking dish
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place a block of feta in the middle of your dish and surround it with your cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle olive oil as well as sprinkle salt, pepper, and a few garlic cloves (or garlic powder) across your dish.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until everything is softened.
- In the meantime, boil the pasta.
- Once the tomatoes and feta are thoroughly cooked, smash them to create a creamy sauce. Then, stir in your cooked pasta.
- Top with fresh basil, if desired.
~Dessert~
If the Oreo truffles weren’t enough, then how about Oreo mug cake? Again, here is another twist on an American classic.
Oreo Mug Cake
What You’ll Need:
- Oreos
- Milk
- Mug
Steps:
- Place a few Oreos into a microwave-safe mug.
- Crush your Oreos into a chunky mixture.
- Pour just enough milk, so that your mixture is submerged but peeking through the top.
- Heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Now, you have a gooey chocolate pudding-like mug cake that will satisfy any nightly cravings.
In the end, these fun food formulas can be altered however to your liking. Still, go on and discover more recipes. And remember, stay positive and maintain good intentions.
If you can’t find something you like right away, you can always visit the multitude of organizations that offer student discounts on Campus Clipper to find inspiration on your own fun food formulas.
For instance, check out Tropic Berry Cafe for fun acai bowls and smoothies!
By: Sydney Ly
Sydney Ly studies Communication with dual minors in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is currently working in retail and has experience as a tutor. Her passions include but are not limited to reading, listening to music, and watching The Office.
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