Spices are an essential ingredient in any chef’s arsenal, and incorporating them into your dishes can take your restaurant’s menu to the next level. Spices add depth and complexity to your dishes and can turn a simple dish into a culinary masterpiece. Moreover, incorporating spices in your menu can help you to stand out in a crowded market, attract customers looking for unique flavors, and offer a way to add creativity and innovation to your menu.
Spices from around the world can provide a great opportunity for fusion dishes, as they can bring new and exciting flavors to traditional dishes. For example, adding a dash of cumin and coriander to a classic tomato sauce can give it a Mexican or Indian twist. Similarly, using a blend of turmeric and ginger in a stir-fry can create an Asian-inspired dish. The possibilities are endless, and experimenting with different spice combinations can lead to exciting and delicious fusion dishes.
One of the easiest ways to add flavor to your dishes without the guesswork of figuring out which ones to include is by using spice blends. These pre-made blends are a great way to add global influences to your dishes without having to worry about measuring and mixing individual spices. For example, Trade East’s Mesquite Herb & Fajita mix is a blend perfect for grilled meats; Jerk seasoning is destined for your most popular wing and chicken recipes; and Ancho Chile seasoning can delight when you make a baste with it for BBQ ribs. Take some inspiration from the recipes we’ve crafted to add some unexpected flavors to your menu that will delight anyone who comes to dine at your establishment.
Sriracha Cauliflower Tacos
In this Sriracha cauliflower tacos recipe, we used Trade East’s Sriracha seasoning along with ground cumin seed to create a taco with Thai and Mexican influences. Sriracha seasoning is great for meats, vegetables, or even salads, and can add an extra layer of complexity to your dishes. This Thai-influenced flavor is a staple in fusion cuisine, which takes different culinary traditions to create new and exciting flavors. We also made these tacos vegetarian by using cauliflower as the base – Roasted cauliflower is a nutrient-dense ingredient that’s high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and the toppings provide additional nutritional benefits. This recipe is easy to modify to provide customers the option to swap in different proteins such as chicken, shrimp, or steak. Sriracha cauliflower tacos can be served as tapas, appetizers, or as main dishes. They’re also easy to customize by adding different toppings or sauces to suit your customers’ tastes.
Seafood Paella
Seafood paella is a popular Spanish dish that originated in the Valencia region of Spain, where it has been a staple of traditional cuisine for centuries. The dish is typically made with short-grain rice, saffron, a variety of seafood, and other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It evolved from farmers who would cook it over an open flame and add local seafood such as eel, snails, and rabbit or chicken. Now, it includes a wider variety of seafood such as shrimp, clams, mussels, and octopus. We incorporated Trade East’s ground clove and paprika into the spice mix to amplify the traditional roots of this dish. Seafood paella is both delicious and visually appealing, with vibrant colors and textures that make it a feast for the eyes. It’s a great dish served family style. This can be especially important for restaurants that focus on presentation and creating a memorable dining experience.
Curried Shepherd’s Pie
Curried shepherd’s pie puts a unique Thai-Indian twist on a classic comfort food. Shepherd’s pie became popular in the 1700s, and there’s much debate about whether its origins are Irish, British, or Scottish – but it was a creative way for families to reuse leftovers from other meals to make something new, which is why there’s not any one true recipe for what can go into it. For our curried version, Trade East turmeric is incorporated into the vegetables, and ground cumin seed and turmeric are both incorporated into a coconut milk curry sauce that is mixed in with the vegetables and meat before baking. The combination of these fragrant spices creates a rich and savory flavor profile. You can offer curried Shepherd’s pie on your menu with a variety of different fillings, including beef, lamb, and lentils – the versatility of ingredients that can go into, makes this dish appealing to customers with different dietary preferences.
Try Trade East Spices on Your Menu
Incorporating spices into your restaurant’s cooking practices can make a significant difference in the flavor, depth, and complexity of your dishes. Spices can also offer unique health benefits and can add variety to your menu. Additionally, by incorporating spices from different cultures, you can offer fusion dishes that appeal to a wide range of customers with diverse tastes. Brands like Trade East can help you bring high-quality, ethically sourced spices to your kitchen, providing you with a wide range of options to experiment with. Overall, using spices in your cooking is an excellent way to elevate your restaurant’s dishes, increase customer satisfaction, and set your restaurant apart from the competition.
Spices Featured in This Article
Kitchen Staple Spices
International Spices
Bread, Baking & Sweet Spices
Meat & Fish Seasonings
Hot & Spicy Seasonings
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