Tastes of Summer
What’s trending?
A hint of sunshine and everyone craves BBQ food. BBQ dishes are versatile and work well delivered, tasting just as good at room temperature as fresh off the grill, BBQ or out of the oven. The demand for meat-substitutes, vegetarian and vegan dishes continues to grow – and since these generally make lighter dishes they make perfect summer menu options.
With continued concerns over the supply of certain product chains continuing, choosing British produce where possible is best – especially during the late spring and early summer when homegrown food is at its finest. Making veg the centre of the plate or even a co-star will be a winner for summer dining – as will cheese, especially cheeses for cooking. Summer desserts are all grown up with dark chocolate – lower in sugar – a top trend alongside adult ice cream flavours.
Best BBQs
American style BBQ foods remain popular, however, if you want to give customers something new take inspiration from Korean and Filipino specialities such as Bulgogi (barbecued beef) and Pinoy-style pork barbecue. Filipino food in particular is fun and perfect for summer BBQ dishes – hot, colourful and sweet. Marinade pork or chicken skewers in soy, chillies, sugar, garlic, banana ketchup or even lemonade – and grill. Load up fries with kimchi, strips of sirloin beef and gochujang sauce for a spicy kick, and those looking for ‘dirty vegan’ comfort food top sweet potato fries with barbecue jackfruit.
Say cheese
Summer food is about keeping everyone happy and it is hard to find anyone who doesn’t like cheesy chips. The Dukes, proper pub chips made with 100% British potatoes, from Lamb Weston are super tasty but dress them up with cheese and you have a premium BBQ side, sharing plate or vegetarian option. Try ‘Twerky Jerky Dukes & Cheese’ – toss fried Dukes chips in a spicy jerk mix, top with Cheddar and bake for three minutes until the cheese has melted. Add pineapple mayo, jerk sauce, coriander and spring onions. For vegans, substitute with vegan cheese.
New veggie options
Vegetarian and vegan dishes – especially comfort foods such as mac’n cheese – continue to grow in popularity as mains and sides or sharing dishes. Fresh summer produce offers the opportunity for indulgent salads and one-pot veggie dishes – easy to serve as takeaways. High quality meat alternatives are gaining in popularity too. Finnish company, Gold& Green Foods has launched a frozen foodservice range of its 100 percent plant-based protein – Pulled Oats which is a nutritious mix of oats, broad beans and peas. The range includes mince, burgers, balls and mezze and with a mild taste allows operators to use in a mix of cuisines.
Turkish & Middle Eastern flavours
A winning blend of heat, spice and sweetness makes middle-eastern food a winner. Since it also tastes best at room temperatures, it is a great takeaway menu option. Serve baba ganoush (a traditional smoky aubergine dip) with olives and pitta bread, chicken shawarma and fresh and healthy tabbouleh salads.
Buy local, buy British
The pandemic has put a spotlight onsupply chains making many more people aware of where our food comes from. Summer is the season to celebrate British grown food and for many reasons – taste, reliability of supply, provenance and the environment. Showcase the best of the British summer season on your menus – from fresh green beans and waxy potatoes, to soft fruits, local lamb and seafood.
Grown-up desserts
Lower in sugar, richer in taste, dark chocolate is on everyone’s lips but not their hips. Being promoted as the ‘healthier’ summer chocolate option, major brands such as Nestlé to Cadbury are all launching their own grown-up versions. Use in desserts from tarts to pavlovas or grate onto ice cream. For summer ice creams, the flavours are also adult and sophisticated – liquorice, goat’s cheese, gin, and dark chocolate gelato.
View recipes: Summer Paella, Pinoy Chicken BBQ, Baja Style Pulled Oats Tacos & Banana Ketchup
