By Emily Cummins, Assistant Features Editor
For those of you searching for something delicious that is organic and vegan Dutch Treats has introduced a new line of vegan options in their refrigerated section. Macro Vegetarian dumplings are delightfully appetizing and surprisingly inexpensive.
The dumplings come in a variety of flavors including Shanghai, Thai, Samosa, and my personal favorite Sundried Tomato Baked Tofu. They can be served warm or cold and only cost about 5 dollars and change. Personally I think that the Asian flavored dumplings only taste good heated up, but the Sundried Tomato Baked Tofu tastes much better cold.
The tofu and vegetable are fresh tasting and would taste good dipped in some soy sauce, but the best thing about these dumplings is that there are so many of them. They are filling so after about five you can just re-seal the rest in the container they came in. That's right, they come in a re-sealable container.
It sounds silly to be going nuts over the convenience of this, but when you only have a small fridge and hardly have the funds to afford Ziplock bags, this convenience is absolutely worth it.
Now I must say that some people don't necessarily like these dumplings. If you don't like vegetables, tofu, or other foods that are not made with meat then these Macro Vegetarian meals may not be for you. However, as someone who likes both meat and vegetables I can safely say that these dumplings are full flavored and quite zesty. It's not the stereotypical cow food that vegans are rumored to eat.
Other vegan options at Dutch Treats include new organic snacks, more Macro Vegetarian meals like different flavors of lomein, and their new fresh produce section that has great items like star fruit and avocado. Be careful with the prices though. A small box of grapes will set you back a good five dollars, which is outrageous compared to grocery store prices.
If you are going to buy fruits and vegetables I would suggest going to the local grocery stores and buying in bulk, but don't forget to buy a vegetable peeler. It's the kind of tool that people seem to forget is necessary to eat a kiwi or cucumber.
For more vegan or vegetarian options on campus, you should check out other locations than Nature's Organic Grille. The sauté of pasta and vegetables there that is very popular is more than appetizing, but is not as healthy as you may assume. The process sucks the life and nutritional value out of the vegetables.
It may be yummy, but if you want something not doused in olive oil try Eli's Kosher Kitchen or the vegan options at Au Bon Pain. Either way there are many great things to eat if you a pro veggie and anti meat, you just have to look.
Emily takes a nice bite out of the new vegan dumplings sold at Dutch Treats. (Sean M. Gates/The Chronicle)