Trends | The Cream Blog

Posts Tagged ‘trends’

  1. Home-cooked Gourmet

    March 8, 2012 by Laura

    Easy, home-cooked gourmet…is it a contradiction?  Recent survey results from Food Forward 2012, the Weber Shandwick’s inaugural food trend report, says ‘maybe not’.

    According to the website, Food Forward 2012 is the survey results from more than 1,000 Australian “taste-makers” including “food editors, chefs, food bloggers and nutritionists”.  The survey was meant to indicate current sentiment about Australian food and identify upcoming culinary trends.

    One trend they’ve named “Gourmet Convenience” calls out what we already know to be true.  We, home cooks, want to produce somewhat hassle-free gourmet-quality meals for our friends and family.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m up for the full-day of prepping and cooking in the kitchen now and then, but I love to entertain and impress stress-free and without sacrificing a whole day.  The survey said this about Gourmet Convenience: “Innovative food products and quality foodstuffs are making gourmet-style meals more hassle-free than ever before. By using semi-homemade culinary masterpieces, even the most time-pressed cooks can still be stars in their own kitchens.”

    Cream at Sassafras is stocked full of these culinary masterpieces to help home-cooks shine.  These innovative food products from Cream are about a love of food and as important, the love and care that goes into making meals at home, and sharing a meal with loved ones.   One example of such a product is Saskia Beer’s Horseradish.

    Horseradish is strong, full of flavor and (some would say) a bite.  It can be the perfect special something for your next home-cooked gourmet recipe, like this beautiful salad from Morsels and Musings.

    Smoked trout & potato salad with horseradish-crème fraîche dressing

    Serves 4 as a starter

    Ingredients:
    ½ cup (125ml) crème fraîche
    3 tablespoons (60ml) lemon juice
    2 teaspoons lemon zest
    2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
    2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
    3 teaspoons horseradish, I recommend Saskia’s Horseradish
    700g potatoes, boiled then cubed
    400g smoked trout, chopped
    50g baby spinach
    6 radishes, finely sliced

    Method:

    1. Make the dressing by whisking together the crème fraîche, lemon juice, lemon zest and grated horseradish.

    2. In a large bowl add to the potatoes, radishes, chives and parsley enough dressing to suit your tastes and toss gently.

    3. When you’re ready to serve, add the spinach and combine well. Top salad with trout.

    Category Cream Cooks, Food for Thought, News from Cream | Tags: ,,,, | No Comments

  2. Top 10 Food Trends for 2012

    December 5, 2011 by Laura

    The global research firm, Innova Market Insights recently shared their predictions for the Top 10 Food Trends for 2012.  Not surprisingly it seems that 2012 is the year of sustainability, quality, and purity.  According to PR Newswire who announced the webinar, the top 10 trends were as follows (along with my own little comments and reflections):

    1.  “Pure” is the New Natural:

    Innova notes an increase in instances from 2008-2011 of marketing the “purity” of product since “natural” is still somewhat ambiguous and/or open for interpretation.

    2.  Green is a Given:

    Corporations are being held to higher social responsibility standards than ever before; from greener production to packaging.  Consumers are being quite clear in their message to corporations to ‘Go green or go home’.

    3. Location, Location, Location:

    Where does my food come from?  I know I’ve been pondering traceability a lot lately and apparently I’m not the only one.

    4. Premium Stands Out:

    Despite this uncertain economic environment, consumers will indulge in “premium” product, especially if it has the x-factor, or in this case, the good-for-you factor.

    5. Seniors Draw Attention:

    Companies are giving due respect to the older demographic in terms of packaging and clarity of nutritional information.

    6.  Forty is the New Twenty:

    The 40-65 year old demographic are increasingly interested in successful aging products that will help them live an active, productive, and rewarding life for as long as possible.

    7.  Grounded in Science:

    Consumers want scientifically proven facts on their foods.  Innova uses the example ‘immune health is linked to Vitamin C’.  It’s no longer enough to just say it.  In other words, ‘prove it’.

    8. Regulators Force a Rethink:

    Governments are forcing food companies to change the way they manufacture their food due to rising rates of obesity and diabetes.  Can I get an Amen?!  It’s about time.

    9.  Unmeasureable niches:

    Niches, like gluten-free, are still important to serve and are helping smaller food manufacturers stay in the game.

    10.   Boom for Protein:

    Have you noticed the increase of hummus and Greek yogurt in your local grocery?  This is related to consumers’ growing desire for protein-rich meat-free alternatives.

    Laura’s 11. Home-grown Goodness

    Not necessarily related to the food and beverage “market”, per se, but I’d add another growing food trend in 2012 which is people cooking and eating from ingredients they’ve grown themselves.  My husband and I are one couple of many that has our own little humble container garden on our deck and we try to incorporate the fruits of our labor into our meals regularly.

    What do you think?  Are you seeing any food trends that weren’t mentioned here?

    Category Food for Thought | Tags: ,,, | No Comments