If you’re like most restaurant owners, you keep a close and careful eye on current culinary trends — but by the same token, you’re smart enough to realize that not all trends are worth following. However, the current movement toward health-conscious dining is more than just another passing fad — thanks to shifts in consumer preferences, it’s rapidly becoming a classic that’s here to stay. Here’s what you need to know about making it work for your establishment:
Creating Balance
Creating dishes that are both satisfying and nourishing requires a finely tuned balancing act — it’s essential to hit just the right the sweet spot between rich, flavorful ingredients and those that contribute nutritional value. For instance, you can craft a conventional salad using fresh leafy green, roasted root vegetables, and your choice of lean protein, such as chicken, fish, or tofu drizzle it with a berry vinaigrette for added flavor enhancement. This approach helps ensure that the dish is packed with nutritious vitamins and minerals without compromising on flavor.
Locally Sourced Ingredients
The foundation of any commercial eating establishment is the quality of the raw ingredients — and as you undoubtedly already know, the fresher, the better when it comes to both taste and nutrition. Using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible will automatically result in tastier and healthier menu options, and as an added bonus, you’ll be helping to support your local economy. Keep in mind that the longer it takes for ingredients to reach their final destination, the more nutrients they lose while items are in transit.
Cooking Methods Matter
Restaurant cooking is well-known for using lost of butter and salt to enhance flavor, but it doesn’t have to be that way — health-conscious chefs are increasingly turning to alternative approaches for healthier end results. Strategies include the creative use of herbs, spices, and certain types of vinegars for added flavor without the negative aspects of butter and salt.
The methods you choose to cook your menu items can significantly impact their nutritional value. For instance, steaming vegetables provides an oil-free, gentle way to cook them that preserves the majority of the vitamins and minerals that they contain. Baking and roasting at moderate temperatures are also good choices for getting the most from items such as root vegetables and lean proteins.
Nutritious and Delicious Desserts
Desserts are often the biggest challenge when it comes to finding a balance between indulgence and nutrition. With a bit of innovation, however, it’s entirely possible to craft a dessert menu that satisfies the sweet tooth without the guilt involved in making an unhealthy selection. Focus on ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate to bring texture, richness, and a range of health benefits to the table. For instance, consider a chia-seed pudding flaovred with real vanilla and topped with in-season, locally sourced fruit or berries. Another possibility is dark chocolate bark sprinkled with seeds and lightly seasoned with sea salt.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and to ask your customers for honest feedback — this is how house specilaities are born.
