Levantine Food American diners are enjoying more food from the Levant region along the eastern Mediterranean shores. Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and other nearby countries offer a wealth of luscious flavors and textures that are showing up more and more. Think of seafood from the Eastern Mediterranean like Branzino, octopus, mussels, squid, and shrimp. Warming spices like paprika, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, and pepper along with aromatics like sumac, saffron, fennel, and coriander are lavishly used. Hummus, feta, halloumi, eggplant, olives, pomegranates, mint, lemon, pistachios, and yogurt are staples and also perfect for vegetarian and vegan diets that are also trending today. Try adding these vibrant Mediterranean flavors to your table as mezze with warm pita for scooping, or make a salad dressing using pomegranate vinegar, olive oil, and blood oranges.
Plant-Based Foods Plant-based foods are a trend here to stay, and their prominence is becoming more mainstream. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates the global plant-based market will grow from US$30 billion to US$160 billion by 2030. That’s 533%! There are a multitude of new companies coming online with a variety of plant-based “meat” made from soy, pea protein, grains, wheat gluten, beans, and legumes. The newest meat substitute being produced by a handful of start-ups is made from mycelium, the network of thread-like cells from which mushrooms grow. Dairy-free milk sales also continue to grow. In addition to soy, coconut, oat, and all the nut- and seed-based milks available today. Potato milk is showing up in Europe. With people eating less meat, vegan cuisine is no longer an option limited to those with full vegan diets, and as variety increases, it’s become more appealing to people with flexitarian, vegetarian, and even omnivorous diets.
Dining Out After the pandemic when people couldn’t dine out, take-out sales soared. Today people are hankering for a dining experience where they can enjoy fabulous culinary creations, wines and spirits, while socializing with friends. Lingering over a meal while enjoying incredible food and friendship is on the rise. People today want meaningful and memorable dining experiences with ambiance and gracious service. Whether in a casual bistro or a fine dining restaurant people want to dine out today and enjoy the experience.
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