Food can provide an excellent opportunity for people to share their culture as many of us enjoy trying different foods from all over the world. From a young age, my parents would often introduce me to foods from each of the different continents so as to strengthen my palate and teach me about other countries’ cultures. I have always enjoyed Indian food as their food culture boasts flavors of cumin, clove, turmeric, cinnamon and many more. Some Indian dishes which I have always enjoyed are the samosas, spiced chilis and masala. While the dish cannot embody all of Indian culture, the flavors in their food which have been brought to the United States has provided me with a small sliver of Indian culture through their cuisine.

 

The restaurant Basil Asian Bistro sports many Indian spice flavored dishes on their menu. This reveals the many similarities between different kinds of spices in foods in which the countries are close in geographical proximity. My personal favorite dish at Basil is their curry fried rice which is a combination of house fried rice with some curry seasonings that are spicy.

One of my favorite things about dining this year at Wooster is the College’s decision to partner with a variety of food trucks and dining services to provide more options for students. Given the renovations to the Lowry Center, the lines at Knowlton and Lowry used to be out the door, and it was nearly impossible to get food on the go, making it incredibly challenging for students who have limited time in their schedules as is.

So, the school decided to partner with services such as The Curry Pot, Oma Gourd Tacos, and Boo Bears Brew, along with food trucks such as Dine and Dash, Guac and Roll, and BullyRun. I personally think this is the best decision Wooster could have made this year given the lack of food options on campus and the current state of Ohio employment. Additionally, the food at these places varies, providing a diverse selection for students. My personal favorite is Oma Gourd Tacos because of their deliciously curated products and side options.

I love getting white rice, black beans, chicken, and fajita veggies with guac, lime, cojita cheese, cabbage, and chipotle mayo as sides. I also like getting corn tortillas so that I can make my own tacos! It’s wonderful to have a break from Lowry dining to get something different and, frankly, tastier. I hope that Wooster may have the opportunity to continue these connections in the future.

Macleod’s convenience store is a place that all of us at The College of Wooster go to get some nice snacks without having to travel off-campus. Some of us play it safe and only get the things we know are amazing. Today, I’m going to give you the rundown on some low-key and amazing snacks.

For those of you who cannot go without the flavor of something sweet, but worry about weight or other health issues the Chuckanut Bay cheesecake is for you. Coming in New York cheesecake and strawberry cheesecake flavors, they taste literally beyond amazing and are much smaller than a traditional piece of cheesecake while still delivering mouth-watering flavor. Not only is their cheesecake amazing, but it’s pretty cheap as well only ringing up at around $2.50.

One of my favorite comfort foods growing up was chicken nuggets and not much has changed since. The Applegate Natural chicken nuggets that the C-Store offers taste exactly like regular chicken nuggets, while being gluten free. I was a bit skeptical to buy them at first just because I would always see so many boxes in the freezer and I just thought they were trash so nobody bought them, but I’m happy to say I’m incorrect.

The third and final underrated food goodie that McLeod has are the HelluvaGood potato chips. I knew that HelluvaGood created some amazing potato chip dip, but never just potato chips. Might I say that their chips taste exactly like their dip regardless of the flavor. My favorite are the French Onion flavored chips ones, but like stated earlier, you cannot go wrong with the whatever flavor you decide to purchase.

For the first time all semester, the weather has broken 80 degrees and it has been lovely outside. I have been spending as much time as possible soaking up the sun and picnicking with friends, however we recently got in a heated debate about the best snacks to bring on a picnic. I would argue that it is crucial to have a drink, a salty snack, and a sweet snack at minimum for a successful picnic.

For a healthy savory or salty snack option, I would recommend bringing a protein bar such as a Kind bar. These bars are packed full of protein and taste delicious as well. They are perfect for when you’re hungry and don’t have time for a meal.

For a more salty snack, I always recommend Harvest Snaps; they are healthy and taste amazing. They are made of green peas, red lentils, and black beans, and always hit the spot.

I love to bring a drink to enjoy my snacks with, and personally I always bring a bottle of blue Powerade. It certainly isn’t the most healthy option, however it is filled with electrolytes and is super refreshing on a hot day. If Powerade isn’t your jam, homemade or fresh squeezed lemonade is always a good option.

Finally, for a desert item, I love the Wild Berry Skittles bags. You can purchase them at the C Store, and the bags are the perfect size for a picnic.

Hope these recommendations will help for successful picnics and yummy snacks!