STYLE & SNACKS: Forever 21 x Cheetos Launches the Flamin’ HOT Collection

Forever 21 is teaming up with Cheetos for an intriguing collection of on-trend fashion and accessories based on the increasingly popular Flamin’ Hot and Crunchy flavors. The snacks have almost become memes unto themselves, and fashion is the next logical step.

RECIPE: Lemon Pepper and Parmesan Popcorn

Popcorn is a favorite for any time of year, and for most casual events with family and friends. But that doesn’t mean it has to be traditional

The Popcorn Board (Popcorn.org) shares a tasty and simple recipe for Lemon Pepper and Parmesan Popcorn that is sure to make your tastebuds pop!

Rice University introduces Plant-based Meals & Cheese for Students

Rice University wants students to know that dorm food doesn’t have to be a culinary and dietary challenge for those trying to avoid the “Freshman 15”.

Rice University has taken a huge step forward in its plant-based journey with the introduction of a meat-and-dairy-free charcuterie program in its student serveries. The menu of from-scratch vegan meats and cheeses is the first of its kind in the nation when it comes to on-campus dining.

Senior executive chef Roger Elkhouri recently debuted a full lineup of plant-based lunch meats that include turkey, corned beef and roast beef and cheeses such as provolone, smoked cheddar and dill havarti. On special days, Elkhouri serves plant-based barbecue brisket or Italian sausage with peppers and onions.

All of it is made on-site using unique, individual recipes created by Elkhouri over the course of a year’s work in the kitchen. Each of the charcuterie items is entirely vegan, although Elkhouri prefers the inclusive term “plant-based” to the “vegan” label, which implies his creations are only meant for a subset of students.

Many industry advocates of a plant-based diet are saying that the term “vegan” carries too much baggage, especially in regions away from the Coasts, and a complete rebranding of the concept is needed.

“A plant-based diet is good for everybody,” Elkhouri said, “and it’s good for the environment too.” In fact, a recent study from the University of Oxford published in Science found that consumers who switch to a plant-based diet drastically reduce their individual carbon footprint.

In addition to turkey and brisket, Elkhouri has also created plant-based versions of pastrami, pepper jack and even a paprika-spiked “cheese ball” with the same spreadable texture and sharp bite of the original. Just like real meats and cheeses, each can be cut thin on a deli slicer; each also has a weeklong shelf life.

The “meats” are made using a proprietary blend of vital wheat gluten, powdered mushrooms, liquid smoke and other ingredients designed to mimic the taste, texture and appearance of deli meats. The cheeses primarily incorporate coconut milk instead of nut milks, more conventional vegan alternatives.

Students have responded enthusiastically to the new offerings, especially those with dietary restrictions. “When I was talking to the students, they were very happy,” Elkhouri said. “I saw a spark in their eyes that somebody was listening to them and hearing their needs.”

“You’re dealing with extremely talented and sophisticated students here,” Elkhouri said. “They’re always asking questions and you have to be on your toes, so what we try to do is get out ahead of them.

“Four or five years down the road you’ll be seeing ‘plant-based’ everywhere. We’re pioneers.”

MORE INFORMATION

For more about Rice’s plant-based foods, follow hashtag #ourplantbasedjourney on Twitter and Instagram.

For more about Rice Housing & Dining, visit http://dining.rice.edu

2018 Top Healthy Gourmet Snacks Announced

The world is full of fantastic, delicious, and innovative healthy gourmet snacks. That’s why we’ve tasted some of the best, and here’s what we found.
The 3rd Annual Snack Awards competition rewards the Top Healthy Gourmet Snack creations of the Year by the TASTY AWARDS.

Reis & Irvy’s Frozen Yogurt Robot

Reis and Irvy’s has the world’s first robotic frozen yogurt vending kiosk, 19 Degrees, and we have the video that shows it in action.

Australian Macadamia Nut Milk from Milkadamia is a Tasty Alternative

There are several alternatives for the lactose intolerant, or people who are simply avoiding dairy. One of the newest is made with tasty macadamia nuts, called Milkadamia.