Tempt your Taste Buds and Introduce New Food and Drink Trends for 2023 into Your Kitchen
When it comes to food, you’re either a taste-obsessed foodie or a bland convenience consumer.
New food and drink trends for 2023
Like the fashion industry, the food and drink trade has annual trends and seasonal flurries of food-tastic flavours.
This year, food specialists are talking about unusual dishes drawing inspiration from across the globe alongside firm comfort favourites and a focus on reducing waste.
Saving the pennies
Seeking innovative ways to reduce the bills isn’t all about putting on an extra jumper and turning down the heating. Batch cooking is pegged to be a top priority this year as households battle against the rising cost of living. And it makes a lot of sense.
Batch cooking may involve longer stints in the kitchen, but it can save time in the long run as well as costs. Planning, preparing and cooking meals in bulk is a great way to budget for the week or month and using the oven or hob to cook multiple meals will reduce overall energy usage.
Viewing what’s in the fridge, freezer or cupboard and using the ingredients to prepare several meals instead of one help reduce food wastage and keep fresh, healthier produce on the menu.
Batch cooking can create many meal types, including soups, stews, curries, stir-fries, pasta, and rice dishes. Portions can be divided up easily and frozen to lock in the freshness until another day.
Instead of feeding the bin or compost heap with leftover food, think about using them to create flavoursome rissoles (ingredients are typically fried or packed into a pastry or breadcrumb parcel) or a healthy soup for the following day. Soup makers are a welcome addition to any kitchen, whipping up a smooth or chunky soup in less than half an hour.
Tastes from afar
West African and Nigerian cuisine is on the rise this year, with Google Trends showing search stats skyrocketing for egusi (protein-rich seeds) and fufu, starchy balls served with sauces or vegetable and meat stews.
The UK also sees specialist West African restaurants opening their doors for the first time and larger supermarkets stocking pulses, spices and condiments used in native dishes that pack in the flavour.
Cupboard food contentment
Possibly tied to consumers seeking cost-saving solutions, tinned fish purchases are on the up. With almost any type of fish available to purchase in a tin, they are a nutritious and affordable alternative to whole fresh or frozen fish, with a longer shelf life.
Tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel are firm favourites and can make a delicious stew, pasta bake, rice or vegetable accompaniment, or a loaded lunchtime sandwich.
Always look for fish caught using environmentally friendly methods and from a sustainable source.
Check out #Tinnedfish and #TinFishDateNight on social media for insightful recipes and mouth-watering ideas.
Premium pies and pastries
The humble meat and potato, chicken and mushroom or steak and kidney pie will always be comfort food heroes, but eateries and consumers are becoming more daring with their choice of filling.
Speciality Food Magazine says the equivalent of £1 billion worth of pies is gobbled up yearly in the UK. Their suggestions for ‘next level’ pies include gluten-free and vegan-friendly options, with fillings packed full of seasoning. Other pie pleasure creators include game, celeriac and lobster offerings. Venison is the perfect choice for a romantic pie spread and savoury mini pies offer a full-bodied picnic.
As a sweeter alternative, croissants are getting a revamp, with eateries and home chefs experimenting with new flavours and sandwich creations. Try seasoning croissants with garlic, spices or specialist butter, spreads and cheeses. Sugary fillings set to challenge the chocolate favourite include vanilla, praline, pistachio and caramel.
The flaky puff pastries also make a delectable sandwich, with popular fillings including turkey, egg and cheese; bacon and banana; forest berries and English breakfast varieties.
Pies and croissants can be quickly frozen to lock in their freshness for future feasting. The upshot of pies and pasties in 2023 is indulgence over comfort.
Try something new this month
According to BBC Good Food, other food and drink trends to look out for this year include vegan cheese, instant speciality coffees and non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits.
Shopping at Marriotts Walk, Witney
Enjoy a varied day out at Marriott Walk. Head to the following eateries to delight your palette and discover new food and drink trends for 2023:
Remember, you can visit all our other stores for retail therapy with family and friends.
MARRIOTTS WALK
YOUR LOCAL, FRIENDLY, EATING, DRINKING, AND ENTERTAINING SHOPPING CENTRE HERE FOR YOU.