Monday, August 21, 2017

Off-premise Business: A Critical Growth Path

The advancements made in technology over the past few years have allowed restaurants to offer voice-recognition ordering, social media, and in-app ordering and delivery robots.



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What the Heck Is an Avocado Sock?

It’s always a drag when you’re dead-set on guac and all you can find are rock-hard avocados. Sadly, there is no way to transform one in time for the same day’s dinner, but you can substantially speed up the ripening process. The usual method involves a paper bag, but there just might be a better way: use a sock.

Not just any old sock, though (and not an old sock at all, please). It must be 100% natural wool, because the lanolin in the fibers and the insulating quality of the fabric allegedly help avocados reach perfection quicker than a bag. The Avocado Sock is the official avocado-ripening wool pouch, but it’ll set you back about $12.00 ($14.99 Canadian to be exact).

The Avocado Sock

Buy one here if you’re curious, though they are currently back ordered.

It might be worth it, and would certainly make a cute (and meta) stocking stuffer come December, but if you’re a little more practical (yet still intrigued), you could probably get a pair of actual wool socks—not as snazzy, sure, but more bang for your buck since you get two, plus you could cram multiple avocados into each one, right? And if they didn’t knock your metaphorical socks off as avocado ripening devices, you could just pop them on your feet.

Of course, if you’d rather actually wear your avocado socks, Amazon’s got you covered.

Amazon

Buy them here.

— Head photo: Pixabay.



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9 Ways to Sip (and Eat!) Sweet Tea This Summer

You’re not considered a real Southerner unless you take your tea extra sweet. We’re not talking three packets of sugar sweet. No, that’s for Northerners and amateurs. Authentic sweet tea is so sweet that it gives the Kool-Aid man a run for his money.

As a way to enjoy the dessert beverage (because let’s be honest, you’re essentially sipping on sugar water with a hint of tea), we’ve rounded up nine creative an unconventional ways to incorporate sweet tea into your cooking. From fried chicken to pie, there’s a recipe for every meal. Scroll down to check them out!

Sweet Tea and Vodka Slushee

The best thing about this drink is that the sugar can mask any amount of vodka. That also happens to be the worst part of this drink. Hello, hangover. Get the recipe.

Fried Sweet Tea Chicken

Rachael Ray Show

Beat it, buttermilk. Sweet tea is not only incorporated into this succulent recipe’s brine, but it also serves as a finishing glaze. Get the recipe.

Sweet Tea Ice Cream

Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt

Think of this as iced tea with a little bit of cream. And by a little bit, we really mean a lot. Frankly, who’s complaining? This summertime treat is just what the doctor lifeguard ordered. Get the recipe.

Sweet Tea Pork Jerky

Girls Can Grill

It’s an undisputed fact that sweet pork jerky is one of the best high protein snacks you can find. Grill up a batch in your own backyard or force a good friend to make it for you. Get the recipe.

Sweet Tea Berry Sangria

The Bewitchin Kitchen

Frankly, if you mix white wine with anything, it’s still bound to taste good. Berries and sweet tea are obviously no exception. Consider this Paula Deen’s idea of a sangria. Get the recipe.

Sweet Tea Turkey

Cooking with Janica

The Thanksgiving bird gets a Southern upgrade with this sweet tea breast that’s heavy on the citrus. Tea time has never sounded more delicious. Get the recipe.

Moonshine and Sweet Tea Cupcakes

Cupcake Project

We’re not always a fan of liquor interfering with our dessert, but for these we’ll make an exception. Moonshine and sweet tea go together like a Georgia peaches and cream. Get the recipe.

Sweet Tea Pie

Taste of the South Magazine

Some sweet tea pie for your sweetie pie is probably the most adorable thing you can make for your honey’s birthday. You’re welcome for the pun that will most certainly go in the Hallmark card. Get the recipe.

Sweet Tea Popsicles

The Chic Site

If you’re tired of sipping, freeze your tea and opt for licking. It’s our favorite way to combat the dog days of summer. Get the recipe.



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What Is the Difference Between Hummus and Baba Ghanoush?

If there’s no hummus at the party, I’m probably not going. Substituting the appetizer for another option isn’t in anyone’s best interest, so don’t assume the onion dip will suffice.

But why wouldn’t you want to serve hummus? The chickpea spread is addicting when paired with a toasted slice of pita, a flavored cracker, or just a few veggies. One piece inevitably turns into three, which becomes six, and ultimately leads to 10.  You might even forget the health benefits once you start chowing down, but it’s OK. If you’re going to spoil your appetite before the main meal, hummus is most definitely the way to go.

Not only is it delicious, but the dip is also having a moment in the spotlight. The trendy dish is a staple at restaurants, comes in portable sizes, and has a variety of different flavors because the chickpeas are just begging for other components. You can get savory, spicy — whatever makes your hummus-loving heart content.

But hummus’ counterpart, baba ghanoush, remains under the radar and in the shadows of its rival. Both are so similar, yet hummus is feeding off the attention while baba ghanoush gets very little.

So what’s the difference? For starters, baba ghanoush is an eggplant puree of Levant descent whereas hummus is Arabic for chickpeas, though an exact Middle Eastern place of origin cannot be pinpointed. It is believed hummus was served as early as the 13th century and we certainly cannot blame our ancestors for wanting in on the chickpea action.

Baba ghanoush, a popular dish in the Middle East, Brazil, and West India is (like hummus) enjoyed as a dipping appetizer with rice or pita and hints of other flavors such as garlic or lemon. This is considered a heart-healthy dish, whereas hummus gets the heart going, um, in other ways as a supposed aphrodisiac.

But anyway, if these spreads sound like a perfect fit for your next night in, have a look at the recipes below.

Cauliflower Hummus

Chowhound

L.A. chef Dakota Weiss puts a new twist on hummus by offering a creamy cauliflower alternative to chickpeas. Add in goat cheese, Boursin cheese, lemon juice, and tahini, and you’ve met your new favorite dip. Get our Cauliflower Hummus recipe.

Baba Ghanoush

Chowhound

Try a classic recipe using Japanese eggplant, tahini, lemon, and garlic. This combo will give hummus a run for its money… and some competition at the holiday party. Get our Baba Ghanoush recipe.

Spinach and Basil Hummus

Chowhound

This new take on hummus pays homage to pesto dishes we’ve all come to love. A little green is always the way to go, no matter what food is in question. Get our Spinach and Basil Hummus recipe.

Smoky Baba Ghanoush

The Rustic Foodie

Anytime “smoky” is thrown into equation, you know the food is going to be a hit at the Super Bowl party.  Things are taken up notch with a dash of smoked paprika in The Rustic Foodie’s recipe, so brace yourself for something simultaneously sweet and hot. Get the recipe.

Lentil Hummus Wrap with Pomegranate Molasses

Chowhound

Just because you hear the word “hummus” doesn’t mean a dip is required. This sandwich, which substitutes classic chickpeas for lentils, is the perfect blend of spicy and tangy. Your lunch break will not come fast enough with this baby. Get our Lentil Hummus Wrap with Pomegranate Molasses recipe.

Baba Ghanoush with Pomegranate

Host The Toast

A sweet but bitter pop of pomegranate is one way to add flavor to the cool eggplant baba ghanoush spread. Another win? Pomegranate is also another trendy food and a pretty hue if you’re looking to take a few snaps for Instagram. Let Host the Toast’s suggestions be your ghanoush guide. Get the recipe.

Cucumber, Hummus, and Lemon Tea Sandwich

Chowhound

Having a tea party in the near future? This is one option that needs to go on your list. The cucumber-cream cheese team is joined by new members: oat bread, hummus, and lemon. These are best paired with scones (not really, but if you’re having a tea there needs to be sandwiches and scones). Get our Cucumber, Hummus, and Lemon Tea Sandwich recipe.

Roasted Red Pepper Baba Ghanoush

Sound the alarms — it’s going to get hot in here. Adding a red bell pepper to your Baba Ghanoush dish — as per Skip the Bag’s instructions — is a fun twist and perfect pairing for eggplant. Make sure crackers are at hand. Get the recipe.

Red Pepper Hummus

Chowhound

A little bit of sweet and spice are ever so nice. This hummus recipe will be tasty and worthy of a fall photo shoot thanks to its orange shade. Get our Red Pepper Hummus recipe.

Sweet Chili Beetroot Baba Ghanoush

Thinly Spread

This ruby-colored dip is taking the baba ghanoush we all know and turning it on its head with sweet chili beetroots, pine nuts, tahini and a splash of lemon. The bread cannot pop out of the toaster fast enough thanks to Thinly Spread’s dish. Get the recipe.



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Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad

Smashed Cucumber Salad with Chicken

Is there anything more refreshing than ice cold cucumber on a hot day?

This Chinese-style cucumber salad with bits of shredded chicken (or tofu!) takes almost no effort to prepare and makes a fantastic light summer meal.

Continue reading "Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad" »



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Make Chick-fil-A from Your Kitchen with This Copycat Menu

Whether you’re protesting, on a budget, have a Sunday afternoon craving, or simply can’t get enough of Chick-fil-A‘s menu, there’s a reason why you may want to replicate the Southern-based chain’s famous chicken, fries, and beverages from the comfort of your own kitchen. Lucky for you, the internet is chock full of copycat recipes that make at-home prepping, cooking, and frying a breeze. Scroll down to check out some of our favorites. At the very least, they will save you a trip to the drive-through.

Chik-fil-A Frosted Lemonade

If there’s one thing we crave most on an outrageously hot summer day, it’s lemonade. Throw some ice cream and lemon zest in it and you’ve got yourself a frosted version that rivals Chick-fil-A’s. We’re also sure this tastes good with booze, but you didn’t hear that from us. Get the recipe.

Chik-fil-A Spicy Sandwich

Clark’s Condensed

“Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce” is pretty much the opposite of Chick-fil-A’s life philosophy. Or at least when it comes to their famous spicy chicken sandwich. Bring on the pickles, their brine, and everything that makes this dish so special. Get the recipe.

Chik-fil-A Nuggets

Lil Luna

It’s all about the cake-like breading with these addictive, bite-sized pieces. You should probably buy at least two pounds of chicken (instead of two breasts), because you’re going to devour all of these in one sitting. Guaranteed. Get the recipe.

Grilled Chik-fil-A Nuggets

Girls Can Grill

Those looking for a healthier option (why?) can celebrate with an imitation recipe of the chain’s grilled alternative. Dipping these in ranch may defeat the purpose of cutting calories, but life is all about balance, right? Get the recipe.

Chik-fil-A Waffle Fries

The Daily Meal

When it comes to fries, waffle (next to curly, of course) reigns supreme. There’s just something about its size, texture, and ability to hold salt that makes it the perfect dipping vessel.  You’ll never look at a crinkle cut the same way again. Get the recipe.

Chik-fil-A Sauce

House of Yumm

Nuggets and fries are worthless without sauce and Chick-fil-A’s honey mustard and BBQ duo is one of the best. Who knew that it’d be so easy to replicate? Well, the restaurant probably did. They’d just rather not tell you. #chaching. Get the recipe.



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Wholly Wholesome Debuts Non-GMO Verification

Wholly Wholesome, a maker of all natural and organic baked goods, announced that its Gluten Free Pizza Dough and Wholly Gluten Free Pie Shells have undergone the process for non-GMO verification.

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Operators Defy a Year of Challenges

Several important influencers affected the foodservice industry’s performance last year, including the country’s unstable political climate and increased labor challenges.



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Bailey's Dark Chocolate Swirl Brownie Bars

Tyson Food Service Bistro Collection Bailey's Dark Chocolate Swirl Brownie Bars are a rich dark chocolate brownie studded with chocolate chunks.

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Tuscanini Baked Parchment Crackers

From Tuscanini, maker of genuine brick wood oven personal pizzas, authentic home-style sauces, and hand-crafted biscotti, comes Tuscanini Parchment Crackers, paper-thin treats imported from the island of Sardinia off the sunny Italian coast by Kayco of Bayonne, NJ.

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Restaurant Menus: Balancing Act

Restaurant operators continue to face what seem to be contradictory demands from consumers. Responding to each of these demands can be difficult, but the task is critical for brands that aim to differentiate and capture return visits.



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Pizootz Peanuts

Pizootz peanuts are available in nine flavors including Bay Spice, Habanero, Baja Taco, Blazing Buffalo, New York Dill Pickle, Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sea Salt, and Jalapeno.

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A&W Returns to Freshly Made Root Beer

The beverage is created through a mixture of the brand’s top-secret blend of spices, real cane sugar and water to create the signature A&W taste. This summer the last US restaurants pouring Root Beer made from a pre-mixed bag switched to mixing it fresh.

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