Now quite interestingly, a latest study reveals a lot more in current food trends. Conducted across different age groups, food preferences and social status, etc, it is an eye-opener. The group, which seems to have the deepest and most effective impact on shaping the food trends, is the age group. It is so strong that it is making all the hotels, restaurants and food industry take notice and gear up to accommodate their needs on high priority.
There seem to be arguably two age groups. Under 45 years and over 45 years. But it is the group under 45 years that is most effective and is seen as a trendsetter in the food industry.
This group is more defined in terms of what it needs, and expects! And the food industry better take a keen look at that!
For this group, gone are the days of mysterious masalas, over-handled food and complicated recipes! Traditionally kept as mysterious secrets of chefs are on the departing flights! Fast disappearing is "chef's special of the day" which only a chef knows best as to how it was cooked!
`Exotic simplicity' of food is the buzzword now, uncomplicated and simple combination of healthy ingredients has become a must. A herb used in cooking must taste like a herb and be easily identifiable in terms of taste and appearance. The food cooked in its simplest way in front of the the diner is always a welcome sight now! For example, a soup created in front of the customer , in an "exotic simple" way with freedom to select ingredients is preferred over a soup coming from the back of the kitchen! Doesn't that sound simple and exotic!
So is the trend in food presentation as well!
Food simply needs to be `exotically simple' that gives a fresh look.
Not only that, but the crockery that is used to serve food also needs to blend well with the ambience of the place and must have a feel of being `tastefully different'.
A casual approach to placement of food on the plate and freshly garnishing it is the happening thing. After all is said and done, the essence still is food!
Again, it simply needs to taste great, look fresh and be contemporarily trendy!
A recipe of the current trend
Grilled yellow fin tuna on rocket
Ingredients
Tender rocket lettuce - 100 gms
Yellow fin tuna fillet - 150 gms
Garlic Salt - 1 pinch
Pepper powder - 1/2 pinch
Mustard powder - 1/2 pinch
Lemon - 1/2 pc
Cream cheese - 30 gms
Olive oil - 10 ml
Cherry tomatoes - 20 gms
Black olive - 10 gms
Green onion bulbs - 3 nos.
Italian dressing - 20 ml
Fresh Garlic bread (toasted) - 3 slices
Method
Take the clean tuna fillet and marinate it with garlic salt, pepper, mustard and lemon juice and set aside for 15 minutes.
Wash tender rocket lettuce and shake well to remove any water. Place them on a plate in a casual way. Top it with cubed cheese, cherry tomatoes, olives, 1/4 cut green onion bulbs.
On the other hand, heat a pan and cook marinated tuna using olive oil. Turn the fish, once cooked on one side. Cook it till done without moving it frequently so as to create a cooked crust on it.
Remove from fire and simply place it on top of the salad.
Top it with Italian dressing and serve immediately with fresh toasted garlic slices!
RAKESH KUMAR
(The author is Executive Chef with Crowne Plaza Surya, New Delhi.)
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