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Top 5 Flavor Pairing Predictions for 2009

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:16:02 -0800

At the onset of each year, American spice company McCormick offers its prediction for the top spice combinations. When we shared the company's top picks with you last year, your vote went to the vanilla and cardamom combo. Incidentally, throughout 2008, I encountered that flavor pairing in recipes and menu items from flan to peach pie. McCormick recently released its forecast for 2009. To see five of the new flavor combinations predicted to explode onto the food scene (and your tongue) this year, read more.

Toasted sesame and root beer
Chinese five spice and artisan-cured pork
Dill and avocado oil
Mint and quinoa
Smoked paprika and agave nectar

The Peruvian grain quinoa has been gaining popularity, and I've already seen recipes for it tossed with mint and other herbs. With the shift away from high-fructose corn syrup and toward natural sweeteners, I could see agave nectar and smoked paprika being a big hit. Toasted sesame and root beer? That's an interesting idea, but I'd have to try it in order to believe it will take off.

What are your thoughts on the flavor forecast?

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Yummy Links: From 12-Layer Cake to Mario and Tony

partysugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:45:35 -0800

I'm trying to work up the courage to make this gorgeous 12-layer mocha cake for Christmas. Wish me luck! - Gourmet
Twelve delicious cranberry recipes. - The Kitchn
What do recession dining and goat meat have in common? They're top food trends of 2008. - Time
At a time when everyone is craving comfort food, retro cookbooks are making a strong comeback. - The Epi-Log
A look back at the year in food. - Chow
Vote for your favorite finalist in the Inspire Me! Holiday Entertaining Contest. - Hostess With the Mostess
Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain discuss fatherhood. - Serious Eats

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Yummy Links: From Crustaceans to Food Trends

partysugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:45:57 -0800

Find out why crustaceans turn pink when cooked. - The Kitchn
Take a virtual field trip to a tomato farm. - Chow
Would you eat crispy fried chicken skins? - Serious Eats
San Francisco says goodbye to the victory garden. - Eater SF
Chocolate covered marshmallows are a delightful edible gift. - Baking Bites
Love to entertain? Submit your holiday party ideas to win a $2,500 prize! - Hostess with the Mostess
Epicurious predicts the top 10 food trends for 2009. - The Epi-Log

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Wedding Food Trends for 2008

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:01:27 -0700

We've discussed a lot of the current wedding trends from centerpieces, to wedding cakes, but now it's time to address the actual meal. Do you serve a fully catered sit-down meal? Or do you opt for something more trendy? To find out what's in for wedding food 2008, click the "Start" button.

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Taste the Future of Flavor - The Top 10 Flavor Pairings For 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:20:51 -0800

Each year, the folks at McCormick put out a list of 10 flavor pairings. Last year things like clove and green apple reigned supreme, but this year it's more intriguing like vanilla bean and cardamom. To see all 10 of their food-pairing predictions, click the "Start Slideshow" button below.

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Microgreens For the Home Cook: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:31:31 -0800

Although we are only three weeks into '08, one of the upcoming trends - microgreens for the home cook - is everywhere. They're on Food and Wine's list of best new ingredients and The Nibble is featuring them as their pick of the week. Similar to baby greens but younger, microgreens are tender, delicate little lettuces. Many restaurant chefs use the greens in dishes or as garnish, but until now they weren't widely available to home cooks. As much as I love experimenting with new ingredients, I don't know if I want to make microgreen salads at home. How about you?

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2007's Favorite Food Trend Is . . .

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:40:31 -0800

This year saw the rise of food as a fun activity, fancy fro yo, and sweets that are savory. However none of those topped your favorite-food trends the way local food and high-end comfort food did. The lead kept flip-flopping - currently high-end comfort food is winning by two votes - however I'm going to have to go with the local-food movement.

Eating locally is a trend that has been growing over the years and in 2007 it's finally become something the average person has heard of. The Oxford American Dictionary declared locavore word of the year, and even my local Safeway touts produce that's locally grown. It's also a trend that many restaurants have adopted, and I think it's one that will grow in 2008.

So what do you think of the local-food movement? Do you eat locally-grown food when you can? I try to, but admittedly, I can't do it completely. Give up pineapple? I think not!

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What Is Your Favorite Food Trend of 2007?

YumSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:15:39 -0800

In continuation of our Best of 2007 coverage, we want to know what your favorite food trends are. Is it fancy yogurt or fancy food? Vote below!

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Yummy Link: 2008's Top Food Trends

partysugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:13:39 -0800

Although we still have a few more weeks of 2007, many people are looking ahead to 2008. Among them are several top restaurateurs who are predicting dining trends for the upcoming year. I'm most excited about niche dining. How about you? The Epi-Log

Top 10 Food Trends for 2007

YumSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 08:57:32 -0700

The Institute of Food Technologists (yep such a place exists) has come up with the Top 10 Food Trends for 2007. From upscale at home, to snacking on your own, the 2007 trends are definitely diverse and definitely speak to our ever changing society.

Since the IFT document is actually 39 pages long, I thought I'd help you out by giving you a general overview.

Dining at Home - 75% of people polled said that they preferred to eat in (at least 5 nights a week). They liked this because they thought homemade food to be healthier. However the rise of take out and to-go meals are on the rise too.
Food as Fun - 8 out of 10 diners "trade up" when dining out and splurge on premium, gourmet and exotic foods. Plus, celebrity chefs are just as famous as some movie stars.
Convenient Products - With schedules getting busier and busier, people are looking for fresh, ready-to-eat food such as salads, precut veggies, pouches of tuna, skillet meals, single servings and more.
Food "Sense" - Expect more foods with strong aromas, bigger crunch, crispiness, and freshness.
Kids Rule - Parents are becoming more aware of the growing obesity rate in children. More companies are working on new and healthy snacks created just for kids.

To see the other 5 Food Trends, read more

Free, Free, Free - I'm talking about fat free, caffeine free, sugar free, gluten free, etc. The market for "free" products has been going strong and continues on for 2007.

Eating Local - The slowfood movement is gaining momentum. People are eating locally, seasonally and are watching their "foodmiles" - the new buzzword that means the number of miles food travels from field to table.
Just What the Doctor Ordered - More than 1/3 of Americans are now basing their food purchases upon advice from their doctors.
Unique Beverages - What have I been telling you guys all along? Flavored waters, innovative teas and new energy sodas are all the rage this year.
Snacky Snacks - Snacks and mini-meals are the biggest trend in the restaurant world. Taco Bell has even launched a campaign promoting the "Fourth Meal" - the one between dinner and breakfast. Plus traditional snacks are changing too, instead of cheese flavor, we'll now have three cheese flavored items.

So what do you guys think of this list? Is there anything you think should be here?

Source: Food Mall