Winter stodgy food be gone! At Parkmore Shopping Centre, we’re ready to try something new.
There are so many beautiful food trends that have arrived for spring and we can’t get enough.
Here’s what you can expect to see on menus this season.
CHANGE UP YOUR JUICE
Apple? Orange? Watermelon? Snooze!
This season is all about unusual juicing. Ingredients are getting wacky and wild and have a huge array of health benefits. Here are just a few things you might see:
- Bee pollen - A nutritional powerhouse, bee pollen is full of protein, sugars, fatty acids and more. It relieves inflammation, boosts liver health and reduces stress amongst many other benefits.
- Horseradish root - A superfood said to fight cancer and have antibiotic and antifungal properties, horseradish root is delicious, especially in a tomato based juice (hello Bloody Mary!). But be careful, some are mild and some are far more powerful! Add in smaller doses to suit your taste.
- Star fruit - Soft, citrusy and floral, we love star fruit. It is low in calories, high in dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals and high in antioxidants.
- Fresh herbs - Herbs are wonderful additions to juices. Cleansing mint, tangy coriander and sweet basil are not only delicious but each bring a range of health benefits to your juicing.
SMOOTHIE BOWLS
Similar to acai bowls but with different bases, smoothie bowls are refreshing and oh so yummy. They are insta-famous and it’s all about the receptacle - bye bye bottles, we love bowls!
Smoothie bowls tend to be thicker, with the addition of frozen fruit, veg and ice. There is no end to how creative you can be with a smoothie bowl. You can try:
- Thicken with avocado or frozen banana and mango
- Mix with nuts, seeds, honey, granola, chia and more
- Top with your favourite cereal. Cornflakes, muesli, toasted coconut or anything you love for some added crunch.
- Get your green veggies in. The fruitiness of smoothie bowls can hide the blandness of some green veggies that you know you need but can’t bear to eat straight!
VEGGIE BREAD SUBSTITUTES
Lettuce introduce you to a great idea (sorry, we had to). Bread is no longer the staple it used to be. Here’s a new idea - veg wraps instead of bread. Less carbs, delicious and oh so good for you.
Here are some different variations you’ll love.
- Lettuce or other leafy greens - iceberg and romaine are great options.
- Sweet potato slices - you can even pop these in the toaster to cook them up!
- Eggplant - slices of grilled eggplant make a delicious bread substitute. Slap on some greek yoghurt and roasted capsicum for a mediterranean treat.
- Portobello mushrooms - whacked on the barbie, these are a perfect vessel for all your favourite fillings
FRUITY SALADS
Salads with fruit, that aren’t fruit salads. It got our attention!
Adding fresh fruit to your salad not only looks pretty, but it tastes great and keeps your body functioning healthily! Fresh, grilled, sliced, whole… you can’t lose. Here are a few ideas we love:
- Baby lettuce with feta, strawberries and toasted almonds
- Smoked salmon, sliced apple and roasted garlic
- Grilled peach, fig, prosciutto and blue cheese
- Watermelon, feta and chargrilled eggplant
- Avocado, mango, lettuce and a yoghurt curry sauce
ROOT TO SHOOT
Root to shoot means you don’t waste a thing!!! So many fresh foods are used in part and as we know, food wastage is huge. Not only can we save the wastage, but often we miss the best parts with nutritional value! Did you know you can eat:
- Potato peels - roasted yum!
- Carrot tops - full of vitamins and yummy stir fried
- Beet leaves - chop them up and toss them through your salad
- Citrus peels - don’t throw them out, 2 tablespoons of zest have around 2-3 grams of fibre
- Broccoli stalks - these babies are said to be even more nutritional than the ends! Slice them up and stir fry for a yummy addition to your meal.
Happy spring eating!
