Industry trend watcher Andrew Freeman predicted earlier this year that one of the trends for 2011 would also include a search for simplicity and pure flavors, using powders and dried ingredients. You’ll see many of these flavorings as food manufacturers roll out their holiday fare this fall and winter.

According to the Cooking Channel, one of the biggest trends is adding a modern touch to homemade foods. Food manufacturers like The Kansas City Steak Company are embracing the trend and adding some interesting flavors to their products.

“Our customers are asking for more tasteful adventures for their holiday menus,” says Edward Scavuzzo, President of Kansas City Steak Company. “We know that spice consumption in this country is at an all-time high – according to McCormick & Company spice consumption is growing more than three times as fast as the population. Today’s pantry consists of about 40 different seasonings, compared to less than 10 in the 1950s. We have been providing our customers with top-of-the-line meats since 1932. We love blending these flavor trends into our product mix and adding them to our more traditional, and always flavorful, steaks and roasts.”

Here are some flavor trends to watch for this holiday season.

1. Espresso is a wonderful flavor enhancer to spice rubs. Whether it’s added to a steakhouse rub or enjoyed in a cappuccino, the deep, rich flavor of espresso adds a depth of flavor to foods that’s rich and satisfying.

2. Sun-dried tomatoes add earthy flavors to recipes. Whether they’re incorporated into chicken roasts or meatloaf, chili or salad, the intense tomato flavor adds both texture and the perfect bite to holiday recipes.

3. Healthful and flavorful, cherries are sure to make your holiday meal sparkle. Whether tart or sweet, cherries are considered an antioxidant super food and will be present in many holiday treats this year. Watch for them to be matched with other fruits, meats and sides throughout the season.

4. Aged beef continues to make the holidays special. One taste trend that will never go out of holiday style: luscious, tender steaks and perfectly juicy roasts. The centerpiece of any holiday meal is still a great choice for wowing your most treasured friends – you name it, meats like Wagyu Kobe Beef, USDA Prime Chateaubriand and Roasted Steakhouse Rub Tenderloin Roast (some of Kansas City Steak’s best-selling items) are holiday favorites every year. There’s just something about taking a bite of a juicy, flavorful steak that makes your day memorable.

5. Don’t forget the old-school favorites. Berkshire Pork, roasts of all kinds, grandma’s special casserole – comfort foods extraordinaire. These foods burst with flavors of the season, rich with memories of years gone by.

When planning those special holiday meals, it’s always good to have a handy guide to pair these new flavors with the perfect complementary sauces, sides and complementary wines. Gourmet guides like the one that Kansas City Steak offers free to consumers from its website, provide quick, easy tips to add some holiday flair to your special gatherings. Many other companies also offer helpful tips and techniques to help you get the most extraordinary flavor for your food dollar – all while impressing your guests with your unique gourmet touches that are sure to make the moments memorable.

Whether you’re craving more adventurous holiday menu choices this year or sticking with the more traditional flavors of the season, you’re sure to find many treats to explore online and in your local grocery store. Start planning for your best holiday yet.

The post The Tastes of the Season - Savory, Sweet, Traditional and Scrumptious first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Sissy Biggers, lifestyle expert and mother of two, says she’s always been on the lookout for new recipes that help her move away from the tried and true. “Because busy schedules are the new norm and were for me when my kids were growing up, everyone is looking for ways to cut cooking time and prepare meals that don’t require a laundry list of ingredients or preparation steps,” notes Biggers. Following are her top tips for making mealtime easier and more interesting.

* Use staples in a new way. You’ve probably got a pantry and refrigerator door packed with products that you rely on but don’t use too often. But don’t let those staples sit unused – they can be the key to making dinner different and more delicious. For instance, adding Hellmann’s(R) Real Mayonnaise to chicken recipes like Parmesan Crusted Chicken, which has just four steps and four ingredients, can produce a juicier, crispier meal that your family is sure to love.

* Incorporate a single new item. There’s a whole grocery store full of options just waiting for you – why not look for an ingredient you haven’t yet tried? Adding a single new ingredient is an easy way to break the monotony without going overboard and cooking an entirely new type of meal. The bonus is that you’ll be exposing your family to what could become a new favorite – and if they like it, you can try new cooking methods in the future.

* Get everyone in the kitchen. The old adage about too many cooks spoiling the broth isn’t necessarily true. By gathering the family in the kitchen to help with dinner prep, you’ll not only be distributing the workload to make things go faster, you may inspire a new interest in cooking. That, in turn, could lead your kids to look for recipes that they want to debut on your evening menu.

Adding a new taste to your dinner can start as early as tonight. In just 30 minutes, you can have a delicious dinner of Parmesan Crusted Chicken ready to wow your family. Visit hellmanns.com for quick and easy meal ideas and vote for your favorite Hellmann’s(R) recipes.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes  
Cook Time: 20 minutes  

1/2 cup Hellmann’s(R) or Best Foods(R) Real Mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
4 teaspoons Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Combine Hellmann’s(R) or Best Foods(R) Real Mayonnaise with cheese in medium bowl. Arrange chicken on baking sheet. Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Makes 4 servings.

The post Simple Ways to Break Out of Dinner Menu Monotony first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Make sensible eating a family affair with a fresh and flavorful recipe from Buddig lunchmeats and these heart-healthy tips from the American Heart Association:

* Set a good example. Parents who make sensible food choices and lead active lifestyles can help their children develop healthy habits.

* Start with simple changes. Eliminating one or two cookies a day and adding 30 extra minutes of exercise or play time makes a big difference.
* Choose protein sources with less saturated fat and cholesterol. Lean meats, skinless poultry and fish and fat-free or low-fat dairy choices are best.
* Keep fruits and vegetables handy for snacking and include with every meal. New USDA guidelines recommend filling half your plate with nutritious fruits and vegetables.
* Make dinnertime family time. When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much. Plus, everyone gets the added bonus of shared time together.

Making healthy food choices that your family will love is a snap; just look for heart-healthy options like Carl Buddig Deli Cuts, which, on selected varieties, feature the American Heart Association heart-check mark certification. Here’s a great-tasting recipe sure to tip the scales in your favor:    

Southwestern Chicken and Rice Salad

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked rice
1 (12-ounce) package Deli Cuts Rotisserie Chicken cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium-size red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 large yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 jalapeno chiles, cored, seeded and minced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 tablespoons reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
Spoon rice into a large salad bowl. Add chicken, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, chiles and onion. Toss gently but well. Stir together chili powder, pepper and Italian dressing in a cup. Pour over salad ingredients. Toss gently but well. Sprinkle on cilantro. Makes 6 (1 1/3-cup) servings.

Nutritional information: 233 calories per serving; 4 grams total fat; 13.5 grams protein; 35 grams carbohydrates; 20 milligrams cholesterol; 1.1 grams dietary fiber and 640 milligrams sodium.

Products displaying the American Heart Association heart-check mark must meet criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol.

To learn more about the heart-check mark and the small changes you and your family can make for healthier eating, visit the American Heart Association at www.heartcheckmark.org.

For more recipes and information about lean, heart-smart deli meats, visit www.buddig.com.

The post Tasty Tips for Eating for Heart Health first appeared on The How Do Gardener.