Commencement has come and gone, and you’re settling into life without school. You’re free, you’re educated — and you have student loans. Now that you’re out of the dining halls and into your own kitchens, here are a few ways to eat well by dressing up typical, everyday pantry staples, without breaking the bank.
Bananas
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You’ll be surprised by how much spices can jazz up mundane food items you always have around. Here, cardamom is the secret ingredient: combine it with all those browning bananas you have on your shelf, and you’ve got yourself a first-rate, fancy milkshake.
Makes 2 smaller shakes
1 large banana, peeled
2 scoops good vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup whole milk
Juice of 1/2 lime
Seeds from 4 cardamom pods, crushed
Chill a tall glass. Blend everything together and serve with a wedge of lime or chunk of banana.
Polenta
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Blueberry Almond Breakfast Polenta
Bag the rushed, pre-class bowls of cream of wheat, and start your day with polenta instead. The additions of vanilla, fresh blueberries and cardamom turn this into a breakfast that’s all grown up.
