OSU debuts student’s healthy salad on campus

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The votes are in! Oklahoma State University student Anissa Grisham has been named the winner of the “Fresh Mix” Healthy Salad contest, sponsored by University Dining Services at OSU. Grisham’s crowd-favorite BBQ Chicken Salad took first place, winning her a $100 UDS gift card and the satisfaction of having her salad featured in the grab-and-go coolers across campus.

Grisham’s BBQ Chicken Salad is a healthy and flavorful option to the usual salad choices. She mixed fresh spinach and Romaine lettuce with corn, black beans, and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, then topped her creation with tender, diced grilled chicken and a tangy barbecue vinaigrette that gives this nutritious treat a distinctive zing. Let your taste buds enjoy for just 400 calories.

“I remember my mom would make this salad for our big family gatherings with a ranch dressing and other things mixed in and it was always a huge hit, so I decided to take it and give it a healthy spin.” said Grisham. “It feels really good to know the students voted on this and loved it as much as I do.”

Second place honors went to Dean Seidman’s Oriental Salad, and third place to Michael Lin who submitted a Fruit and Veggie Salad.

Students were encouraged to submit their healthy salad recipes for consideration by the University Dining Services culinary team. The chefs and administration got together and reviewed the recipes for nutritional information and did a thorough taste test on each of them. The top three salads were chosen, sampled out to students and then voted on at display tables set up across campus.

For more information on the Healthy Dining initiative or University Dining Services, please visit http://dining.okstate.edu.