Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

Best of FlavorTop 10 Trends

Six Winning Salad Strategies Flavor builds and more


Rethink your salad menu strategy.  Go with two to three core salads on your menu that have longevity year-round, then implement a robust salad LTO cycle that features a new seasonal salad offering every two months. This brings authenticity to your overall menu, as guests can see that your operation is making seasonality, freshness and culinary creativity a priority.

Flavor-Building Ideas
  1. Salads are inherently seasonal, so showcase ingredients as they come in and out of season, touting their peak flavor and sourcing stories.
  2. Hot can be cool—hot has its place in salads, as in char-grilled wedges or leaves of lettuce, slabs of roasted cauliflower and more.
  3. Be mindful of salad structure: composed, tossed, rustic, chopped, scooped and more bring vast versatility options.
  4. Incorporate fruit- and vegetable-based juices into your housemade dressings.
  5. Add a vibrant kick to salad greens with chopped fresh herbs.
  6. Use healthful ingredients like Greek yogurt, bloomed chia, puréed beans, vegetable purées, nut butters and avocados as part of a satiating base for creamy salad dressings.

 

About The Author

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ROB CORLISS is a three-time James Beard House guest chef with more than 30 years of experience that includes running world-class hotels, launching new concepts, working in top marketing agencies and owning the culinary consultancy ATE (All Things Epicurean) since 2009. Based in Nixa, Mo., ATE has an energizing passion focused on flavor innovation and is dedicated to connecting people to their food, environment and wellness. Rob is also a regular contributor to Flavor & The Menu.