Blog, Recipes, Uncategorized
By: Julia Mertes, Communications Intern, The Lion’s Pantry
Many students stop by The Lion’s Pantry and pick up beans to use for their everyday meals. However, there are a variety of ways to use beans to enhance one’s meal plan.
To gain some new cooking — and baking — inspiration, check out these 11 suggestions on how to use your next load of canned beans.
1. Beans and Rice
Why not make the traditional bean dish that comes to many people’s minds? Beans and Rice may be the perfect meal for you.
2. Tacos
Beans are an easy and traditional ingredient for yummy tacos. You’ll likely want them on hand for your next Taco Tuesday dinner party.
3. Incorporate beans into your next quesadilla.
Besides your typical ingredients of cheese or chicken, consider adding beans to your next quesadilla.
Photo by Tim Toomey on Unsplash
4. Create homemade salsa or hummus.
Rather than picking up a jar of salsa or hummus at the store, try to make your own using canned beans.
Serve some homemade Black Bean Salsa with tortilla chips at your next get-together with family or friends. You could also pick up some crackers and veggies to enjoy White Bean Hummus.
Salsa is also a healthy snack to enjoy throughout the week, especially on hot days.
5. Bean-based Soups
A wide array of soups include beans — ranging from Ham and Bean Soup to Potato Bean Soup. Making soup in a Crockpot, or even on the stove, allows for easy meal planning.
Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash
6. Add some beans to your next salad for extra flavor and protein.
If you’re tired of traditional garden salads, try adding some beans to your next dish.
7. Beans on Toast
Try out the British specialty “Beans on Toast” — a typical dish eaten for quick breakfasts, lunches and dinners. This is a comfort food that can help students through the rough exam periods and long shifts at work.
Another positive about making beans on toast is the recipe yields a large amount of food. There are many recipes for this treat if you would want to elevate the dish further.
Photo by Richard Bell on Unsplash
8. Add beans to your breakfast.
If you make yourself a breakfast sandwich in the morning, why not add some beans for added flavor?
Making breakfast burritos allows for creative freedom. You can choose your ingredients and the extent you add them in. When adding egg, cheese, potatoes, and other ingredients to your burrito, consider beans as a potential addition.
You could also incorporate beans into your next omelet or egg-based dish if feeling adventurous.
9. Loaded Nachos
Whether you’re hosting a football watch party or simply want an enjoyable treat on the weekend, loaded nachos may be the quick treat for you. With quick prep and cooking time, this meal will be a go-to treat for many college students.
Photo by Deryn Macey on Unsplash
10. Use beans as a topping for your next burger.
Besides adding cheese, ketchup, mustard, lettuce or onions to your burger, consider adding some beans.
You could even make bean burgers, rather than using traditional meat-based products, following recipes as such. For vegetarians and vegans, bean burgers may be a great treat to make for summer picnics or parties.
11. Use beans in your next dessert.
Whether you want to try Black Bean Brownies or Pinto Bean Cake, canned beans may be the secret ingredient in your next favorite sweet.
We hope you enjoy the following recipe ideas and add them into your weekly meal planning. What is your favorite way to use canned beans? Share your favorite canned bean recipes with us!
Blog, Recipes, Uncategorized
By: Julia Mertes, Communications Intern, The Lion’s Pantry
After a long day of work and school, you will likely head to your kitchen looking for something to heat up in a flash. Like many college students, your eyes may land on the box of gooey macaroni and cheese. It’s a staple dish for college students trying to eat on a budget. However, after a while, the quick and easy dinner option may become a little repetitive.
Here are five tips to elevate your next dinner to include extra flavor and texture.
1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
You can never go wrong with cheese! So, sprinkle some additional mozzarella or American cheese to the mix.
2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n’ cheese.
Whether you enjoy rotisserie chicken, fried chicken or a meat alternative, buffalo mac n’ cheese may be the perfect evening treat for you. With few additional ingredients and a bucket-load full of flavor, there are many variations to this classic treat.
For instance, if you’re not a fan of chicken, pick up some ham to add into the mix. Buffalo ham mac n’ cheese may be your new favorite treat.
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev on Pexels
3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
Adding vegetables to your dinner not only increases the nutritional value but also adds flavor and texture. Pick up your favorite leafy greens and go from there!
4. Similar to the buffalo chicken suggestion, try adding barbecue sauce and a protein of your choice to your dinner for added flavor.
If you’re a fan of BBQ chicken, you can use that as inspiration for your next mac n’ cheese dinner. Pour in a generous helping of sauce and the other ingredients you feel like including.
5. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
If you need a crunch on the top of your pasta, add some bacon bits or breadcrumbs.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels
6. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
Are you a fan of garlic? Try adding it to your dish. Like some paprika? Sprinkle some into your next bowl of pasta. Simply add in the spices and herbs that you have and see how it tastes.
7. Use your leftovers for extra flavor in your dish.
Have leftover pulled pork from a community dinner? It may be the perfect opportunity to combine the sweet and savory flavors of pork with your cheesy macaroni meal.
Did you treat yourself to your favorite restaurant dinner or attend a picnic with your friends? Use the leftovers in your macaroni and cheese. Simply be creative.
8. Mix in some jalapeños for some spice and heat.
Hot sauce isn’t the only way to add some heat to your macaroni and cheese. Try adding some peppers to your dish for added oomph.
Do you know someone who may be tired of eating the same boxed macaroni and cheese for dinner a few times a week? Share this article with them to spread both joy and yummy meal ideas their way.
What is your favorite way to enhance your macaroni and cheese recipes? Be sure to share them with us!
Blog, Lion's Pantry News
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– The Lion’s Pantry announced adjusted summer hours beginning Monday, May 16, 2022.
The Pantry is closed during finals week and the first week of summer, from Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 15.
Summer hours will be 5:00-7:30 P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 17 through August 18. The option to request a pre-packed grocery bag pickup will also be available throughout the summer. Hours may change based on campus closures or other extenuating circumstances, so please follow The Lion’s Pantry on social media for updates.
Created in 2014 to address food insecurity within the Penn State community, The Lion’s Pantry is both student-created and student-led.
As the official on-campus student food pantry at Penn State’s University Park campus, The Lion’s Pantry serves every student with a valid Penn State ID with free food and supplies — no questions asked.
For students without a mode of transportation, the campus shuttle runs weekdays until 6 p.m. and drops students off on Big Hollow Rd.
Due to renovations to The Lion’s Pantry facility, summer open hours and pre-bagged distribution will be held in nearby location Chem Storage on Big Hollow Rd in storage unit #003. The Pantry’s location is the first Chem Storage building on the left.
In addition, Cub Pantries are located across Penn State’s campus to ensure food is readily accessible to students.
Students can access Cub Pantries at the following locations during the summer months:
- Student Disability Resources, 102 Boucke
- Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity, Lower Level, 0011 HUB
- Student Veteran Center, 146 Ritenour
- Student Care and Advocacy, 120 Boucke
- Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, Lobby
- EMS (Earth and Mineral Sciences) Library, 105 Deike
- Office for Off Campus Student Support, 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 200
- Gender Equity Center, 204 Boucke
- Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Laboratory
Open hours at each Cub Pantry location are the hours of each respective office.
Please contact thelionspantry@psu.edu with questions.
Blog, Features, Uncategorized
Past Positions with The Lion’s Pantry: President, Vice President, Volunteer Coordinator, Pantry Manager, Club Member
Academic Area of Study: Community, environment, and development
Post-Graduation Plans: Working with DDAR at Penn State
What was your favorite part of working with The Lion’s Pantry?
I most enjoyed meeting new people and forming connections in the Penn State community and beyond. Whether I was working with the incoming executive team, hosting a volunteer group, collaborating with donors, or chatting with clients, I made countless connections that I will cherish forever.
How did The Lion’s Pantry shape your Penn State experience?
My Lion’s Pantry experience was my Penn State experience. The pantry opened so many doors for me, pushing me out of my comfort zone to meet new people and become a better person. I came into Penn State not knowing where I would end up. Joining the pantry my freshman year, I found purpose and friendship. I discovered my passion for serving my community. It led me to my major and my career path, continuing my work in community engagement and development.
What’s something you learned from your work with the Pantry that you’ll take with you into your future?
Always keep the person after you in mind. As I finish out my time with the pantry, I am thinking of how I can leave our organization better than I found it. I not only work for my current team and clients, but also to provide a stronger future for those who will serve and utilize the pantry in the future. To create a better tomorrow, we must start today.
What advice would you give to incoming students interested in joining the pantry?
Do it! Become a club member, pantry manager, join exec — it is such a rewarding experience. The Lion’s Pantry not only provides a vital service to students in need, but it also builds leadership and friendship. Take the leap and serve your fellow students, finding yourself along the way!
I want to thank everyone I’ve worked with during my time with the pantry. To our executive teams, pantry managers, club members, advisors, community partners, and donors, thank you for the best four years I could have asked for. I am so proud of how far the pantry has come, and even more excited to see it grow in the future!
Blog, Features, Uncategorized
Role with The Lion’s Pantry: Student Manager 2019-2022, Vice President 2021-2022
Academic Area of Study: Biology major (Neuroscience Option) with a minor in Psychology and Neuroscience
Post-Graduation Plans: Taking a gap year while applying to medical school. Will hopefully be working as a Pharmacy Tech during this time.
How did The Lion’s Pantry shape your Penn State experience?
My time with The Lion’s Pantry showed me how important it is for students to work to improve Penn State during our time here. Once I found the pantry, I was amazed by how much it was utilized being utilized. There is often a perception that if students can afford to go to college that they are not facing issues like food insecurity. In reality, the cost of education often leads to sacrifices in other areas which in many cases include food. During my time with The Lion’s Pantry, I have seen the usage of the pantry increase further as more and more students become aware of this amazing service. I am so proud of the work this team has been able to accomplish and am even more excited to see even more improvements in the future.
What’s something you learned from your work with the Pantry that you’ll take with you into your future?
Working with The Lion’s Pantry has taught me just how much of an impact something like food insecurity can have on someone’s life and overall health. Although food insecurity is a big issue it often goes unnoticed at a surface level. I have enjoyed working to improve awareness, accessibility, and the quality of service that The Lion’s Pantry provides for students. This is something I intend to bring into my career as a future physician. Along with food insecurity, issues like socioeconomic disparities, accessibility to healthcare, and cost of care are all prevalent issues within the medical field. I plan on using everything that I have learned working with The Lion’s Pantry to better serve my community and future patients.
What advice would you give to incoming students interested in joining the pantry?
I would encourage any incoming student to get involved with The Lion’s Pantry. This is one of the most fulfilling opportunities available at Penn State, as you can see the impact you are having firsthand. There are many different levels of involvement ranging from collaborations with your other organizations to direct involvement as an ambassador, student manager, or member of the executive team. No matter the level of involvement, working with The Lion’s Pantry is a rewarding experience as you combat the issue of food insecurity in a meaningful way.
