It's always amusing to see trends come and go. Whether it's in the fashion world (hello again flared jeans) or in pop culture (still waiting for vampires to fade out completely), our country seems to have an obsessive and somewhat ADD personality. Since this is a blog about food, I thought I'd focus on some of the more recent food trends. I have a feeling this could be a semi-regular topic.
Food Trucks
The Food Truck has become the hot spot for accessible and affordable gourmet cuisine. It's often of a gourmet or gastro-pub nature and it's always served up fast. Why have these these trucks become so much more appealing? In my opinion, they definitely made a name for themselves due to their finger-looking-good flavors and unique menues, but a few other things helped drive their popularity. Shows like Diners, Drive-Ins have made finding hidden, unassuming restaurants cool again. The more shtick on the menu the better. I think social media also played a large role. Food Trucks are tailor made for Twitter. Their regularly evolving menus and the fact that most cities' trucks move to new locations every day encouraged devoted social media followers who brought these mobile kitchens to their full potential.
What's the best known truck in your city? As a Minneapolis native, I have to rep the new Turkey-to-Go Truck on the Mall downtown. A taste of the State Fair all year round - need I say more?
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese has always been a go-to meal in America, but I'm talking about the blue box in the cupboard. Over the past year, the typically pedestrian dish has infiltrated seemingly every gastro-pub and new American menu in the U.S. Why now? I have a few thoughts. One, gourmet cheeses have become much more accessible to consumers today in stores like Trader Joes, Costco and Whole Foods. Consumers are intrigued now, not intimidated, when they see their favorite standby dish made up with Gorgonzola or Smoked Gouda instead of the usual cheddar. Also, I believe most health waves in the U.S. come hand in hand with a dose of over-the-top, food rebellion. We're a society that believes in treating ourselves after a long week of making healthy food decisions. Let's face it, what better way is there to treat yourself than with a bowl of 4-cheese macaroni with bacon lardons and parmesan brioche croutons?
Nominate your favorite restaurant's Mac n' Cheese here. My vote is for Stanley's Kitchen and Tap in Chicago. Macaroni on a brunch buffet is a stroke of pure genius.
Cupcakes
Personally, I'm kind of waiting for this trend to wind down. Two years ago cupcakes were suddenly everywhere. Bakeries specialized in them. Food network created 3 new shows about them. Recipes abounded. Hostess gifts changed from nice bottles of wine to bakery boxes. Why? In my opinion, these tiny versions of real cakes took hold with society because they're a good canvas for pretty designs and the unique flavor combinations offer a wow factor. Oh, and they also make eating dessert seem more dainty. I think that's a big reason for their initial popularity among women. Personally, I'm more into rustic, gooey desserts, but I don't mind getting down and dirty with sweets. That said, I have had a couple cupcake bakeries show me the light with silky buttercream frostings and to-die-for fillings.
Name your favorite bakery or speciality cupcake. I'm a big fan of the Cookies and Creme at Molly's Cupcakes in Chicago, but Magnolia just opened downtown and their recipe takes the cake. (Pun intended).
Food Trucks
The Food Truck has become the hot spot for accessible and affordable gourmet cuisine. It's often of a gourmet or gastro-pub nature and it's always served up fast. Why have these these trucks become so much more appealing? In my opinion, they definitely made a name for themselves due to their finger-looking-good flavors and unique menues, but a few other things helped drive their popularity. Shows like Diners, Drive-Ins have made finding hidden, unassuming restaurants cool again. The more shtick on the menu the better. I think social media also played a large role. Food Trucks are tailor made for Twitter. Their regularly evolving menus and the fact that most cities' trucks move to new locations every day encouraged devoted social media followers who brought these mobile kitchens to their full potential.
What's the best known truck in your city? As a Minneapolis native, I have to rep the new Turkey-to-Go Truck on the Mall downtown. A taste of the State Fair all year round - need I say more?
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese has always been a go-to meal in America, but I'm talking about the blue box in the cupboard. Over the past year, the typically pedestrian dish has infiltrated seemingly every gastro-pub and new American menu in the U.S. Why now? I have a few thoughts. One, gourmet cheeses have become much more accessible to consumers today in stores like Trader Joes, Costco and Whole Foods. Consumers are intrigued now, not intimidated, when they see their favorite standby dish made up with Gorgonzola or Smoked Gouda instead of the usual cheddar. Also, I believe most health waves in the U.S. come hand in hand with a dose of over-the-top, food rebellion. We're a society that believes in treating ourselves after a long week of making healthy food decisions. Let's face it, what better way is there to treat yourself than with a bowl of 4-cheese macaroni with bacon lardons and parmesan brioche croutons?
Nominate your favorite restaurant's Mac n' Cheese here. My vote is for Stanley's Kitchen and Tap in Chicago. Macaroni on a brunch buffet is a stroke of pure genius.
Cupcakes
Personally, I'm kind of waiting for this trend to wind down. Two years ago cupcakes were suddenly everywhere. Bakeries specialized in them. Food network created 3 new shows about them. Recipes abounded. Hostess gifts changed from nice bottles of wine to bakery boxes. Why? In my opinion, these tiny versions of real cakes took hold with society because they're a good canvas for pretty designs and the unique flavor combinations offer a wow factor. Oh, and they also make eating dessert seem more dainty. I think that's a big reason for their initial popularity among women. Personally, I'm more into rustic, gooey desserts, but I don't mind getting down and dirty with sweets. That said, I have had a couple cupcake bakeries show me the light with silky buttercream frostings and to-die-for fillings.
Name your favorite bakery or speciality cupcake. I'm a big fan of the Cookies and Creme at Molly's Cupcakes in Chicago, but Magnolia just opened downtown and their recipe takes the cake. (Pun intended).
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