Halloween looms around the corner, bringing with it a twist on culinary inspiration. Dubbed the “Year of the Mash-Up,” 2024 has taken a delightfully spooky turn, blending flavors and textures in ways that are as eerie as they are delicious.
From plates filled with sushi burritos, to pizza fries, and spaghetti tacos, it’s time to embrace the food fusion trend and cast a tasty spell on diners. This season, we’re not just handing out candy, we're conjuring up monstrously good food mashups that promise to haunt your taste buds.
IT’S ALIVVEEEE!!!
Like the legendary monster, stitch ingredients together and bring Franken-foods to life! Food mashups mix and match familiar favorites into something fresh and exciting. This could mean a combination of two different dishes from the same genre of food, like a chicken Parmesan lasagna, cheesy lasagna layers stuffed with breaded chicken; or, it means finding a common flavor between unrelated cuisines and creating a fusion dish, like a Phoritto — pho ingredients including beef, thin rice noodles, and chili-garlic sauce, rolled burrito-style in a tortilla.
One of the most exciting trends in food fusion is the blending of international flavors. Dare to mix flavors from across the globe, for example, by blending spicy Thai ingredients with classic Italian pasta or incorporating Mexican spices into Asian stir-fries. By experimenting with diverse flavor profiles, you can create dishes that push flavors to create something truly unique. According to research, noodles, sushi, beer, and coffee are the most trending flavor pairings for fusion dishes. Consider using these as an ingredient for your combinations.
Bone to Pick
The base of your dish, the “skeleton” structure of your recipe, is the best place to start. Think about foods that make easy bases for flavors — pizza crusts, taco shells, breads, noodles, soups, all the things that can be customized by whatever you decide to top them with. This gives you a jumping-off point for experimentation, layering in unique flavors to spice up your offerings.
According to research, pizza is only on about 30% of menus. With a base as dynamic as a pizza crust, plus its layers, the mash-up potential is endless! Consider options as varied as Caesar salad pizza, sushi pizza, banh mi pizza, breakfast pizza, cookie pizza, or even add shrimp to a pie for a bite into a Cajun-inspired slice. Pizza comes in many shapes and styles — for a new take on a traditional deep dish, consider a pizza pot pie and bake those sides high with everything you’d find topped on a supreme pizza inside.
Studies show that Mexican pizza is the most demanded pizza mash-up among consumers. With the Roma® family of brands and Contigo®, you have access to a scary combination of Italian and Hispanic flavors for a unified pie. This Contigo Street Corn Pizza featuring Mexican-Style Roasted Street Corn Dip provides a nice balance with its thin wood-fired crust and creamy, melted Bacio® Cheese atop its spicy, pepper-coated foundation of white sauce.
Zom-Beef Invasion
Today's burgers feature diverse influences from Korean BBQ to Mexican spices, and even Indian curry. Chefs are experimenting with toppings like kimchi, guacamole, and tzatziki, as well as buns made from bao, ciabatta, tortillas, or lettuce, for a crisper option — layer a lettuce bun between a Braveheart Black Angus Beef® Gourmade Burger® patty with white cheddar cheese, cabbage slaw, and drizzle on a homemade spicy sauce featuring Asian Pride® seasonings and oils for a fusion burger that appeals to those looking for a carb-lite menu option.
Or think beyond the burger and beef up any entrée! Meat is one of the easiest bases to play with — it’s all about how you season, marinate, cook, and dress up the protein for an effective mash-up. Braveheart® offers various cuts and styles that allow for a range of applications. From sirloin and chuck to brisket and flank, you have the mash-up ability to create fusion dishes for short ribs, kebabs, sandwiches, and more. And with Braveheart’s short plate skirt steak and fresh grinds, you can transform fajitas, meatballs, and sauces into fusion dishes to be proud of.
You Can Brew It
Incorporating fusion can be a rewarding way to attract new customers and offer memorable dining experiences. Leave your guests spellbound with some wickedly good creations by incorporating fusion elements into just a few dishes rather than overhauling your menu. This allows you to test the waters and gauge customer reactions.
Popular fusion items can be expanded or featured as specials to drive excitement. Use social media, your website, and in-house marketing materials to highlight your unique offerings. Share the stories behind the dishes to create interest among your guests. Let your kitchen become a food laboratory! With that mad scientist mentality in mind, monstrous food mashups have the potential for success. So, gather your goblin’ guests, and prepare some plates that are to die for.
