When the world feels crazy and everyone is dealing with epic levels of personal stress, comfort foods are a balm that soothes the soul with a blend of nostalgia and caloric density.
What qualifies as a comfort food? The answer can vary among cultures and families. Some might lean toward carb-heavy foods like fresh baked bread or macaroni and cheese. Others might choose a bowl of ramen or pozole, a cassoulet, or a hearty serving of butter chicken and rice.
But no matter what form it takes, the nature of comfort food is to deliver the feeling of home, tinged by the emotional safety and warmth of childhood.
That doesn’t mean current trends can’t touch the comfort food arena. While you might not want to tamper too much with any given dish, you can certainly get creative by exploring trending flavors and fusions, finding new ways to elevate simple recipes. Here are a few ways to create a new twist on comfort foods to wow your customers.
Add Flair Through New Flavors
The American market remains eager to sample new international flavors that bring the heat. Particularly popular are African spice blends.
If harissa is old hat at this point, consider a West African umami spice blend featuring fermented locust beans and anise, along with a range of peppers (such as Ashanti, alligator, and piri-piri) and onion, garlic, and ginger powders. A great addition to savory meats, casseroles, soups, and stews, this spice blend could ratchet up the heat and flavor of a variety of comfort foods.
The trick is to start with authenticity. For example, you might recreate an old family recipe and then build on that to create something new. Elevating simple recipes by adding unique spices and gourmet flair is a great way to scratch a nostalgic itch while delivering a fresh take that catches consumer interest.
Comfort Food Fusion
Are two comfort foods better than one? Fusion embraces the premise that two great things can be better together. Consider the humble chicken pot pie. This combo of crust, meat, vegetables, and creamy sauce is a classic primed for fusion innovation.
You could sub in a mild curry sauce in place of traditional béchamel or use butter chicken to blend two comfort classics from different cultures. What about a teriyaki chicken filling or a spicy chicken fajita twist? You could also craft a pizza pot pie similar to a calzone or add a waffle top for a twist on chicken and waffles.
Pot pie is just one comfort dish that lends itself well to experimentation. Casseroles and stews are also easy to adjust when you blend them with traditional recipes from other cuisines.
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Vegan Substitutions
With more consumers leaning into plant-based diets for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, finding ways to make vegetarian or vegan versions of comfort foods is a great way to gain attention.
One easy snack to transform is chicken wings. Keep the breading and sauce, but replace the chicken with options like cauliflower, tempeh, and jackfruit. You can fall back on classic buffalo or Cajun seasoning, or you can get creative with trending flavor profiles.
Focus on Presentation
The eyes eat first, so each dish should not only taste delicious but also present a visual feast that primes the brain for enjoyment before the first bite. Whether you update a comfort food or maintain its traditional appeal, consider how creative plating will attract consumers and boost your profile on social media.
Related: New Autumn Flavor Trends
Preserve the Core of Comfort
Some consumers will balk at new versions of comfort food that challenge their childhood memories. That’s why it’s important to preserve the core of what creates an emotional connection to a dish, even if you’re adjusting flavor profiles, fusing cuisines, or transitioning to plant-based ingredients.
Balancing nostalgia and innovation isn’t easy, but it can help you meet conflicting consumer desires for the comfort of the known and the excitement of novel experiences.
To learn more about Symrise and other food trend insights, contact the team today!
