How would you describe the food at the Thanksgiving or Christmas table? Sumptuous? Filling? Rich? How about ... bland?
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As much as we look forward to holiday feasts, Western holiday staples could use a little more flavor. Some extra spice and heat could be the key to waking up classics. According to Datassential, 72% of U.S. menus include the word "spicy," 85% feature pepper, and hot sauce has reached menu ubiquity.
With consumers' taste for heat at a high point, now's the time to spice up classic holiday menu items. These five tips will help restaurants get started.
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1. Savory Pumpkin Spice
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Pumpkin spice has become shorthand for cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and other spices that typically join the gourd in sweet fall treats. But don't count out savory spices. Particularly in soups and stews, spices like cayenne, chili, and turmeric compliment pumpkin while adding an extra kick.
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2. Mexican-Inspired Sides
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In many households, jalapenos have become as essential to cornbread as cornmeal itself. Why not add a taste of Mexico across more holiday sides? Add in chorizo to cornbread or stuffing and serve with a bit of salsa. Branch out from jalapeno to the milder poblano or the much hotter serrano to vary the heat levels.
3. Spiced Pecan Topping
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Pecans can not only add crunch but also carry spices in a wide variety of holiday staples. Bake them in a coating of cayenne, paprika, and chili powder. Then, sprinkle them atop salads, roasted vegetables, and even pumpkin pie. For some extra fall flavor, add maple syrup to sweeten the coating.
4. Cajun-Style Entree
Despite being the popular choice of bird at the Thanksgiving table, turkey has always had its critics. To appease diners who find turkey too bland, consider baking it in a Cajun rub of cayenne, onion powder, paprika, and other peppers. The seasoning works for other holiday entrees as well, even cauliflower steaks for vegan diners.
5. Swicy Honey
Swicy—that's "sweet" and "spicy"—is the flavor combo people can't get enough of. Nowhere is this love for swicy flavors more apparent than in the rise of hot honey, which has grown 98% on U.S. menus in the past four years, per Datassential. There are very few holiday dishes that wouldn't benefit from hot honey. Drizzle some on roasted vegetables or cornbread or use it as a glaze for ham.
Your Sourcing Solution
Let's face it—Christmas and Thanksgiving meals can get a little bland. Incorporating different spices can switch up holiday meals without straying too far from the classics. With our wide range of products, Dot Foods can help you spice up holiday menus.