Finals Edition: Easy recipes to help you eat well amidst the Finals grind

Finals week pretty much implies quick eats. Aside from nibbling on that chocolate-studded granola bar in the library at midnight, the idea of taking the time to make and eat dinner can seem, well, impossible.

However, while Kraft macaroni and cheese, ramen or microwaved frozen vegetables (ugh) may seem the only plausible route to getting your fill, there is hope. Making quick, healthy, filling and, most importantly, tasty dinners is possible during this dark time of coffee at 4 a.m. and little sleep.

Here are some recipes that you can whip up while you pack your survival bag for a night at Hillman:

Easy Tortilla Espanola (a.k.a. Spanish Omelet)

2-3 eggs

2-3 fist-sized potatoes

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

one small onion, thinly sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp. celery salt (optional — if omitting, add salt to taste)

crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

black pepper to taste

Heat a pan on medium heat. Add olive oil and sliced onions to the pan and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Poke holes in the potatoes and place them in the microwave for 1 minute. Flip and cook for another minute until soft. The amount of cooking time needed will vary depending on potato size. Cut the potatoes into cubes and place them in the pan with the onions. Add celery salt and crushed red pepper, if you choose to use them. If not, add salt and pepper. Stir potatoes and onions, making sure to add more olive oil, if necessary. Whisk the eggs together in a bowl and pour onto potatoes and onions. Cook for 2 minutes, then add cheddar cheese. Let melt, then flip the omelet.

Serve with toast and a cup of coffee to jumpstart your study-sesh. Serves one to two, depending on quantity of eggs/potatoes used.

Easy Pho Ga (Vietnamese chicken soup)

1 rotisserie chicken, meat shredded

1 package rice vermicelli or other rice noodle (could even use whole wheat spaghetti)

4 cups chicken stock

2 cups water

Possible add-ins: hard-boiled egg, sliced radishes, bean sprouts, mushrooms, heart of palm, bamboo shoots, parsley, cilantro, basil, Sriracha sauce, lime

Heat water and chicken stock over medium heat until they reach a low boil. Add noodles and chicken and reduce heat to simmer — just enough to heat the chicken and cook the noodles. Throw in desired add-ins and slurp away.

Serves one starving student or two to three moderately hungry ones.

After-Studying Detox Smoothie

1/2 cup coconut milk

3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 banana

2 tbsp. chopped parsley

3/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon honey (or to taste)

4-5 large ice cubes

Juice of half a lime

Blend ingredients in a blender and serve chilled. Best for after a long study-sesh to help detox from that bag of M&M’s you just went through. Serves one.