Learn the Basics of Indian Cooking Enjoy Free Samples Too!

SUA and KU Dining are excited to be hosting Chef Hari Nayak, Indian chef extraordinaire, for two special events next week. 

Chef Hari is Culinary Director at Café Spice. Café Spice opened at the Underground one year ago, making KU the first Midwest campus to host this Indian concept. Chef Hari began his epicurean journey at The Culinary Institute of America. After working in India, he went on to work in restaurants in New York, London and Paris. Today, he is among America’s most celebrated chefs for his unique culinary style.

On Wednesday, April 9, Chef Hari will be hosting a cooking demonstration in the Jayhawk Room on Level 5 of the Kansas Room. The demo will feature traditional Indian food in Chef Hari’s own style. He’ll discuss the culture behind each item he prepares and guests will enjoy samples of the dishes. The event starts at 7 p.m., just about the time most students start hankering for that evening snack.   

Chef Hari will also be doing a book signing at this event for his bestseller, Modern Indian Cooking. In this book Chef Hari provides his outlook on Indian cuisine. This event is FREE for anyone with a KU ID. 

Then, on Thursday, April 10, Tea at Three will transform into Chai at Three, again featuring Chef Hari. A Henna artist will also be on hand to illustrate the depth of Indian culture. Masala Chai will be served, as will samples from Café Spice. If you’ve never been to Tea at Three, this would be the right time to check it out. As always, this Tea at Three is free and open to all.

Both events are presented by SUA’s Culinary Committee, in partnership with KU Dining at the KU Memorial Unions.

See you at the U!

KU Celebrates National Nutrition Month®

Enjoy The Taste of Eating Right!

KU Dining’s two registered dietitians, Cheryl Wiley and Mary Rondon, are encouraging the KU community to celebrate National Nutrition Month® 2014 by returning to the basics of healthful eating.
This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.” Throughout March, KU Dining Services will be hosting activities campus wide to help the KU community combine taste and nutrition to create healthy meals that follow the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Participants who attend scheduled events will not only enhance their nutritional knowledge while participating in some fun, they may even win a prize!
Kansas Union:

• “Nutrition & Wellness Showcase,” March 5, Kansas Memorial Union, Level 4, 11a.m to 1:00 p.m.

Retail Dining Cafes:

• “Nutrition Game Day.” Events take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day.
• March 7: The Underground in Wescoe
• March 11: Mortar & Pestle in the KU School of Pharmacy
• March 12, Crimson Café in the Burge Union 2nd floor

Residential Dining Centers

• “Nutrition Game Night.” Events take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. each evening.
• March 24, Oliver Dining in Oliver Hall
• March 26, Ekdahl Dining in Lewis Hall
• March 27, North College Café at GSP

Erin Laurie, President of the Kansas Dietetic Association (KDA), said National Nutrition Month is a time to celebrate what registered dietitians (RD) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) do year-round. “Health and nutrition know no season, but during the month of March, we really encourage Kansans to recommit to basic, healthful eating,” said Laurie.

March 12 marks “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day,” when the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) acknowledges the significant work RDNs do as advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.

 “Good nutrition can and should be delicious and exciting, and RDs and RDNs have the tools and expertise to help Kansans make 2014 their healthiest year yet” Laurie said.

 Members of the KU & Lawrence community are encouraged to schedule an appointment to interview Cheryl Wiley, MS RD LD, during the month of March to learn more about KU Dining’s commitment to National Nutrition Month® through our programmed events and activities.

The Kansas Dietetic Association is a state affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). AND is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. With nearly 72,000 members, the Chicago-based AND strives to improve the nation’s health through food and nutrition. To learn more, visit AND at www.eatright.org. KU Dining Services is a function of the KU Memorial Union, a not-for-profit service organization at the University of Kansas. The KU Memorial Union and its affiliates provide campus dining services, event services and educational and recreational services for the University community. For more information, visit union.ku.edu/dining.

Late night? Hit the Panda for Great Asian Eats!

Okay, so if you’ve been to the Kansas Union this week, you may have smelled the awesome aroma of that notorious orange chicken wafting through the air…. And if you followed your nose, it took you to Level 3, where you encountered Panda Express. Yes, you heard that right. After much anticipation, Panda Express is now open at the Union!

At 9:00 a.m. M-F and 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Panda opens its doors to feed a hungry KU community. That means those of you with 8:00 a.m. classes who skip breakfast can slide right in and feed your soul.

Within their shiny metal chafers, you’ll find an awesome selection of 15 different entrees, hot and ready to go. In addition to their famous orange chicken, some of their other stellar options include Bejing Beef, Teriyaki Chicken, String Bean Chicken and Broccoli Beef. (Those last three contain fewer than 250 calories!) A comforting rice, noodle or veggie side accompanies your meal, and appetizers can either round things out or serve as a tasty mid-day snack. TIP: You do not want to miss their Cream Cheese Crab Rangoons.

Organized as the ultimate takeout operation, Panda Express is set up to get you in and out with your meal fast. Take it to go, or enjoy it in any one of the comfy seating areas around the Union.

But here’s where it gets really good…. Panda is open late —till 7:00 p.m. M-F. So, whether you’re studying in the evening and are in need of a tasty energy boost or just looking to satisfy some Friday night fun food craving, Panda has your late night food fix.

Never been to Panda Express? Here’s your chance to sample it for free. Panda will be sampling on Saturday night at the Union Basketball Watch Party on Level 4—fun starts at 7:30 p.m., with tip off at 8:00 p.m.

Need more than a sample? Bring this blog to Panda and get a FREE EXTRA ENTRÉE OR APPETIZER with your meal purchase.

Om nom nom.
See you at the U!

Ah, Valentine’s Day…

Whether you love it or hate it, it comes around every February 14th. Flowers, chocolates, cupids, greeting cards, kisses, lovebirds, hearts and lace, they all represent this complicated holiday steeped in fascinating history and mythological mystery.

If you’re the type who is “in love with love,” you’ll go all out on this special day.

If you’re the type who’d rather skip the whole month of February, you’ll just need to grin and bear it!

But if you have to acknowledge Valentine’s Day, before you head out for a high-priced dinner off campus, consider enjoying a special Valentine’s Day meal with KU Dining, and put the dollars you’ll save toward movie tickets, a bouquet, or a nice sensible gift, like a singing teddy bear!

KU’s three campus dining centers—Mrs. E’s in Lewis Hall, Oliver Dining in Oliver Hall and North College Café in GSP—will be serving a special menu for dinner on Friday, February 14th. Created with care by the chefs in KU Dining, you don’t want to miss out on a great line up of foodie favorites: grilled KC strip steak, golden brown butterfly shrimp, baked potatoes, fresh sautéed veggies, and a bountiful salad buffet.

After dinner, impressive dessert bars will round out the meal at each of the dining centers: chocolate fondue with fresh fruits, pretzels, marshmallows and brownie bites at Oliver Dining; fresh strawberry pie and decadent chocolate chunk cookies at Mrs. E’s; and Tiramisu, fresh strawberries and an ultimate chocolate mousse cake at North College Cafe.

Those who have a KU meal plan or KU Cuisine Cash are set. Guests of our residents can use a “guest pass,” a benefit of those who have dining plans, or they may pay the $9.50 door price, which is still one great deal.

What!? No valentine? Even if you don’t have a special someone this year, KU Dining wants you to be their valentine and join them for dinner, made with love!

No meal plan? No problem.

Barbeque. Brick oven pizza. Burger and sweet potato fries. Big deli wrap. Pasta. Giant soup and salad bar. Vegetarian and vegan. Comfort food like meatloaf and mac and cheese…

Now, some of you may think that I’m generating those yummy food ideas as I stroll down Mass Street.

Actually, every one of those items—and more—can be found at Mrs. E’s. There are eleven different cafés under one roof at KU’s largest residential dining center, located in Lewis Hall on Daisy Hill. There you can sit and enjoy a great meal as you take advantage of one of the very best views on campus.

What? No meal plan? No worries! Bet you didn’t know that Mrs. E’s is open to everyone on campus. For one price at the door, you can have it all, and as much as you like of it, including beverage and dessert:

• Breakfast: $8.50
• Lunch: $9.50
• Dinner: $9.50

Special diet, you say? Those with special dietary needs have a café all their own at Mrs. E’s called K-You Zone. This café caters to diners be they gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegetarian/vegan, kosher, Halal and more.

Off campus? We’ve got you covered! Students who live off campus can dine at Mrs. E’s for even less than the prices above by signing up for an affordable meal plan that entitles them to ten meals weekly at any of four residential dining halls. Faculty and staff, instead of using your credit card or cash at Mrs. E’s, if you use Cuisine Cash (which you can load onto your KU ID) you get a 10% discount every time you dine. To learn more about KU Dining’s campus meal programs: 785.864.7274.
And, if you weren’t already aware, Mrs. E’s went through a massive renovation last summer, resulting in a contemporary, warm and inviting ambiance with food options to please the palate of today’s sophisticated diner.

Residential dining is not what it used to be. Check out Mrs. E’s and all of the other great dining opportunities across campus. With 22 different dining options, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your craving.
See you at the U!

Save the World One Cup at a Time

KU Dining Services has been leading the charge in sustainability for years. They compost, they recycle, and they turn off the lights when they leave a room. Now, they are sharing their passion for sustainability in a very cool way.

KU Dining Services introduced a new reusable cup when classes started this week. Because it’s made with a “one-molding” process, our beloved Jayhawk adorning it will stand proud through the life of the cup. (It won’t fade!) The cup is vacuum insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold, and the patented spill-proof lid makes it very bus friendly. It is also BPA free, microwave and dishwasher safe and made in the good old USA – and when it does finally give out, it is recyclable.

KU Dining worked with Capitol Cups, Inc. to create an affordable reusable cup that you would be proud to carry across campus. You can pick up one of these stylish and spirited cups at any KU Dining retail location for only $5.00 (while supplies last). You can fill it with your favorite fountain beverage or your favorite flavor of Roasterie coffee free at the time of purchase and then refill it as many times as you like for only $1.00 per refill.

Let’s do the math. If you purchase beverages daily on campus, you can pay for your cup within the first few days of ownership. If you bring in the coupon from the College Coupon book at the time of your purchase (coupon books are available at the KU Bookstores and at all KU Dining locations), you can save $2.50 on the cost of your cup.

And just think–if you do buy a beverage each day of this semester alone, by using a reusable cup, you can keep nearly 75 cups, lids and straws out of the landfills and preserve the resources that would have been used producing them. If you visualize what that pile of waste would look like, it’s pretty significant.

Do your part for the environment and look good doing it. C’mon, KU. Let’s save the world – one KU Dining Services reusable cup at a time.

See you at the U!

The “Skinny” On Sugar

Sugar can be a natural component in food choices or an added ingredient improving the overall food product or recipe flavor, texture, and palatability.  Sugar adds calories but not necessarily vitamins/ minerals compared to other carbohydrate foods.  Sugar is categorized as a “simple” more refined carbohydrate. It is broken down into glucose faster and then absorbed quicker into the body.   If consuming 2,000 calories per day, one’s sugar intake would equate to about 20 teaspoons.  

Recommendations for added sugar consumption are:

•  Women-no more than100 calories (6 tsp.) daily
•  Men-no more than 150 calories (9 tsp.) daily

To attain those recent recommendations, modify your food and beverage choices by:

•  reading labels for sugar, syrup, and carbohydrates ending in “ose” ingredients
• reducing those extra condiments, toppings, and candies that quickly increase sugar, calorie totals
•  researching websites that explain sugar reduction and/or modifying using natural or artificial sweeteners in home recipes
•  increasing intake of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables with natural vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients
•  increasing complex whole-grain carbohydrate foods, snack foods rich in fiber
• reducing sweetened beverages except those that are calcium &  vitamin-D rich
• drinking more water with zero calories, no added sugars
  

An added benefit to controlling your intake of “simple” carbohydrates (sugars) would be maintaining a normal weight as recommended by physicians and other health professionals and keeping active!

Sources: 

American Heart Association  

www.heart.org

www.FoodInsight.org