Category: Food News

Celebrate National Pickle Day with Twang: Bold Flavors for Every Pickle Lover

Twang’s pickle flavored products include Twang Pickle Snack Salt. Photo: Garrett Smith/Giant Noise Partners, used with permission.

National Pickle Day, celebrated on November 14, honors one of America’s favorite tangy snacks. Pickles, typically made from cucumbers brined in vinegar or fermented in saltwater, have a rich history dating back thousands of years. Whether enjoyed on their own, as a garnish, or incorporated into dishes, they’ve become a staple in many cuisines worldwide. On this day, pickle lovers celebrate by enjoying different varieties—sweet, sour, dill, or spicy—and exploring new ways to incorporate pickles into meals. It’s a fun occasion for pickle enthusiasts to share recipes, taste new flavors, and appreciate the versatility of this iconic food.

As National Pickle Day approaches, it’s time to embrace the tangy, zesty goodness of pickles in a whole new way. Pickles are having their moment with the viral pickle sandwich as a popular trend on social media, but Twang has been enjoying and sharing its love for pickles for years. (Twang, 2024)

Twang is a San Antonio, TX-based salts and seasonings manufacturer that offers pickle flavored Snack Salts, Beer Salts, Cocktail Rimmers, and Michelada Mixes that are sure to satisfy both pickle lovers and snack enthusiasts alike. Founded in 1986, Twang has perfected its recipes for maximum flavor in each grain of salt and drop of mixer. 

In an iconic pickle flavored partnership, Twang has partnered with The Original Pickle Shot for a Cocktail Courier limited-time cocktail kit:

  • Pickle Margarita Cocktail Kit ($69.99): Kit makes four to eight cocktails. In this kit, the classic margarita gets a pickly makeover with the Pickle Mango Marg featuring a choice of The Original Pickle Shot’s OG or Spicy flavors, silver tequila, and mango juice, then rimmed with Twang’s Dill Pickle Beer Salt.

Twang’s Pickle Products

  • Twang Pickle Snack Salt ($7.00): Price includes three shakers per order. Twang Snack Salts are bold, flavorful, granular blends that can be eaten by themselves as a treat or topped on an assortment of fun food and snacks.
  • Pickle Beer Salt ($12.00): Price includes 12 bottles per order. Twang Beer Salts are a mouth-watering citrus-infused salt that draws inspiration from the Latino culture of adding citrus and salt to beer made of all-natural flavors and colors.
  • Dill Pickle Cocktail Rimming Salt ($5.00): Price includes one 4oz rimming tub. Twang Drink Rimming Salt Tubs offer delicious flavors you love, perfect for adding a burst of excitement to margaritas, micheladas, bloody marys, and more. Made of all-natural flavors and colors, each tub is packed with high-quality, all-natural ingredients that deliver a unique blend of taste and texture, elevating your drink experience to new heights.
  • Twang Pickle Michelada Mixer ($7.00): Price includes one 16oz bottle. Twang Michelada Mixers are made with all-natural ingredients, no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup, and made with real lime juice and Worcestershire sauce.

The Cocktail Courier kit is available for purchase online. All other products are available for purchase online with delivery available nationwide. In-store purchases for Twang can be made at select Walmart, H-E-B, Buc-ee’s, Kroger, Albertsons, Smart & Final, Bashas’, Food City, QT, Circle K, Specs, and BevMo locations.

This National Pickle Day, celebrate the vibrant flavor of pickles like never before with Twang!

From Burger to Tacos: Whataburger and Taco Cabana Reveal Their Latest Menu Innovations

Taco Cabana celebrates ‘National Taco Day’ with incredible taco deals available all day on Tuesday October 1, 2024. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Taco Cabana is excited to announce unbeatable deals available across all Texas locations on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 for the new Taco Tuesday National Taco Day. This momentous event with the first National Taco Day change from October 4 is a day to go down in taco history. In a commitment to provide the best value to its guests, Taco Cabana is offering the below deals ALL DAY, no limit, and no coupon needed, on October 1. The taco specials are available for dine-in, drive-thru, online or through the MY TC! app. (Taco Cabana, 2024)

  • $1 Bean & Cheese Tacos
  • $2 Ground Beef Tacos
  • $2 Shredded Chicken Tacos

Large groups can get in on the fun as well with 10% off Catering orders of Dozen Breakfast Taco boxes. The offer is available online or by calling 855-4MY TACO. Guests must place Catering orders before 5p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024 for pickup on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 to receive the discount. 

To sweeten the deal for MY TC! Rewards members, Taco Cabana is offering an additional exclusive deal on Friday, October 4 with a Buy One Get One offer on any of its tacos. This offer is valid for that day only and limited to a one-time use. Download the MYTC! App and join MYTC! Loyalty Rewards for more special offers and exclusive Taco Cabana news.

National Taco Day Deals: Tuesday October 1, 2024

Exclusive MY TC! Rewards Members Deal: Friday October 4, 2024

Whataburger

SAN ANTONIO – It’s gettin’ hot in here, y’all! Keeping up the heat streak after announcing the limited-time Nashville Hot WhataWings, Whataburger is running up the score on the flavor board with the all-new Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double – debuting on Tuesday, October 1. This limited-time burger has just the right amount of spice to fire up your munch game, no soda chaser required. (Whataburger, 2024)

Double the beef and double the fun, the Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double is two 100% beef patties layered in Whataburger’s Creamy Jalapeño Ranch and topped with crispy, smoky bacon, aged cheddar and jalapeño slices to add a little bit of spice – all hugged by two toasty 5-inch buns. This limited-time legend has it all: Crunch? Yes. Kick? Yes, yes. It’s just the right amount of spice and all the bold flavors that’ll have you saying, “More, please.” 

“Our new Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double is destined to become a quick classic with Guests who want to add just the right amount of spice to their lives. The smoky bacon strips and jalapeño slices deliver that crunch you crave while our Creamy Jalapeño Ranch adds a little more of that bold flavor Whataburger is known for. But it’s only here for a limited time, so get it while it’s hot.” – Whataburger Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Scott Hudler

Guests who order the Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double or their favorite Whataburger meal in-restaurant or at the drive-thru between October 1 and 31 can do a little extra good through Whataburger’s Round-Up at the Register fundraiser for the Gary Sinise Foundation. This fundraiser is particularly special because the Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double commercial was filmed at a real fire station in New Braunfels, Texas. The foundation supports first responders, veterans, and the families of fallen heroes by providing grants for equipment and training to underserved and volunteer responder departments across the U.S. Guests can contribute by rounding up their orders to the nearest dollar at participating locations.

The Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double is also available in a Whataburger Jr. size. Guests can find it in-store, at the drive-thru, online and on the popular Whataburger App for curbside pickup or delivery. Customers who create an account will immediately start earning rewards and exclusive offers. Prices and availability vary by market. For those who want to take a piece of Whataburger home, the Creamy Jalapeño Ranch sauce and other signature condiments are available online. 

Whataburger’s all-new Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double debuts at all locations on Tuesday October 1, 2024. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Wine Spectator Restaurant Award: Landrace Among the World’s Best Restaurants for Wine

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk receives 2024 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Landrace, the landmark restaurant within Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, has been honored for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the world’s best restaurants for wine. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2024)

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,150; 1,531; and 96 winners this year in each respective category.

Landrace has won the Award of Excellence, which recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.

Following this news, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, invites guests and locals alike to a celebratory Chef’s table dinner on July 26, 2024.

The ultimate family-style dinner will showcase Landrace’s award-winning wine program alongside dishes like Albariño Dressing Burnt Orange Grilled Rabbit and wild-caught scallops, prepared with ingredients sourced from local heritage growers.

To reserve a spot, please visit the reservations page.

“Securing a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award is a testament to our dedication to excellence, where each bottle in Landrace’s outstanding wine program tells a story of craftsmanship and passion, pairing perfectly with our culinary creations to elevate every dining experience.” – David Arciniega, Executive Chef of Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk

“The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are re-investing in their wine programs. Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,777 restaurants for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists.” – Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator

Landrace embraces the pastoral beauty of locally sourced ingredients, spotlighting Texas heritage growers and farmers through its seasonal menus. Nestled on the ground floor of Thompson San Antonio – River Walk, Landrace accommodates 200 guests in a setting that marries modern sophistication with warm mid-century modernism. Landrace boasts an inviting atmosphere with a light color palette, soaring ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Upholstered banquettes, custom-designed rose gold screens, and a showstopping bar enhance the dining experience, complemented by two expansive private dining rooms—one with views of the River Walk—for special occasions and gatherings.

The 162-room Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is in a new luxury, mixed-use development on the banks of the San Antonio River in the heart of the city’s vibrant River Walk. Featuring 33 suites with soaking tubs, wet bars and views of Text Hill Country, the hotel also offers a penthouse with a pool table – the ultimate entertainment suite. Public spaces include a full-service spa, a pool-deck bar with cabanas, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with panoramic views of downtown. More than 5,000 square feet of light-filled event space are anchored by a 4,000 square foot ballroom. Oversized guest rooms provide stylish sanctuaries in the heart of San Antonio, while signature restaurant Landrace draws guests and locals alike.

Taco Cabana’s Latest Innovations: A Sneak Peek at New Menu Offerings

Taco Cabana unveils exciting new street food fest menu offerings and giveaway opportunities. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Attention Taco Cabana fans: there’s some new menu additions on the way.

Tex-Mex innovator Taco Cabana (TC) is thrilled to announce the debut of its enticing new Street Food Fest offerings, available beginning on Wednesday, July 3 in all Texas locations. The fusion of flavors available this Summer at Taco Cabana is sure to erupt the taste buds of each guest. (Taco Cabana, 2024)

Included in the new lineup are Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® Taco, Al Pastor Tortas and Street Tacos, Brisket Loaded Fries and Nachos, Caramel Iced Coffee, and MTN DEW MAJOR MELON Rum Punch. 

“The possibilities for delicious and fun innovation are truly endless at Taco Cabana. We’re devoted to giving our guests delicious offerings that they love and trying out new things to let them discover more! This will be a memorable Taco Cabana Summer that guests can enjoy with loved ones or solo.” – Ulyses Camacho, President and COO of Taco Cabana

In an iconic collaboration with Cheetos® and Mountain Dew, Taco Cabana is pleased to introduce the all new Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® Taco and MTN DEW MAJOR MELON Rum Punch. The Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® Taco is made with a fresh flour tortilla, and filled with ground beef, Cheetos Flamin’ Hot snacks, shredded lettuce, and Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® infused sauce. The frozen MTN DEW MAJOR MELON Rum Punch is made with Bacardi Rum and Mountain Dew Major Melon. This daring new duo creates a flavor harmony that will light up the market with excitement.

Additionally, Al Pastor Street Tacos and Al Pastor Tortas will be added to Taco Cabana’s menu. Taco Cabana’s al pastor recipe includes diced pork marinated in a combination of dried chilies and spices. Each serving features three street tacos with corn tortillas and pork al pastor, topped with cilantro and onions. They will be available as plates and combos. Plates include rice, choice of beans, shredded lettuce, guacamole and two tortillas. Combos include a 20 oz. drink plus small chips and queso. The torta is made with a toasted bolillo bun, layered with pork al pastor, fresh refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and a side of salsa ranch. 

Due to popular customer demand for all the recent brisket additions on the menu, Taco Cabana is also adding Brisket Loaded Fries to its menu, in addition to Nachos. The loaded fries are seasoned and topped with queso, smoked brisket, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. The nachos are served with refried beans, queso, sour cream, guacamole, and topped with delicious smoked brisket. 

Just in time to beat the Texas summer heat, Taco Cabana is excited to introduce a refreshing new beverage: Caramel Iced Coffee. Perfect for starting your day or enjoying an afternoon pick-me-up, this delicious drink is crafted to keep you cool and energized all summer long. 

The fun doesn’t stop with the new Street Food Fest menu items because Taco Cabana is also introducing Taco Tuesdays for MY TC! Reward Members. Members will get double points every Tuesday when purchasing a taco plus a Pepsi drink. After purchase, members are automatically entered for a chance to win a Grand Prize weekend adventure at Kalahari Resorts, plus other weekly prizes like FREE taco combos for a year and a Summer Beach Bundle. The bundle will include Sunglasses, a Waterproof Phone Case, an Insulated Bottle, Duffle Bag, Bluetooth Speaker, Beach Towel, Backpack Cooler and Racket Ball Set for a Beach Game. 

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly-made flour tortillas, and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of January 1, 2024, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Dole kicks off a year of health and hunger relief initiatives

Dole is presenting sponsor of the ‘Get Fit for No Kid Hungry’ initiative targeting national fitness and wellness influencers in January 2024. Photo: Google

Dole Food Company has started a busy year of health, wellness, and hunger-relief initiatives by extending its partnership with No Kid Hungry, a campaign of Share Our Strength, committed to ending hunger and poverty, for a third consecutive year in 2024. The company’s alliance with the national nonprofit began in summer 2020 in response to the impact of COVID-19 when schools closed and millions more U.S. children were left facing hunger. (Dole Food Company, 2024)

Dole’s ongoing work with No Kid Hungry includes nutrition education, fundraising support, and at-retail initiatives to help the thirteen million kids in the U.S. who are living with hunger to have access to three healthy meals a day.

The produce leader is also the presenting sponsor of Get Fit for No Kid Hungry, an influencer-based health and wellness fundraising initiative designed to rally the nation’s top fitness and nutrition experts to host health-related livestream classes and web-based instruction throughout January. In addition to sponsoring the program, Dole is encouraging its own partner bloggers and influencers to inspire their followers to get fit and give back in the New Year by donating to No Kid Hungry.

The renewed collaborations with No Kid Hungry are part of a milestone year for Dole that will include virtual health and wellness workshops, new brand ambassadors, dozens of new, produce-based recipes and local and national celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of DOLE® Bananas.

“We’ve been honored to work alongside No Kid Hungry over the past three years in their quest to ensure that every child in the U.S. gets the healthy food they need to thrive. While we’ve made some great strides together, there is still much work to do to fulfill both organizations’ goals of addressing hunger and food insecurity for children.” – William Goldfield, Dole Food Company’s director of corporate communications

“Access to healthy food unlocks so much opportunity for our nation’s kids. When kids have access to three meals a day, they can dream big and have a bright future. That’s why we’re so incredibly grateful to Dole and our other Get Fit partners, as well as the many fitness, health and wellness experts hosting ‘Get Fit for No Kid Hungry’ livestream classes this January to help raise awareness and funds to connect kids to the food they need. Together, we can get fit, give back and make sure kids across the country have access to the fuel they need to grow up healthy and strong.” – Carla Warner, senior director of Revenue Innovation at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign

Active in the health and wellness blogger and influencer space since 2009, Dole recruited several Get Fit for No Kid Hungry influencers participating in the 2022 and 2023 programs. The company is encouraging its millions of social media followers, employees, customers, Dole Nutrition News e-newsletter subscribers, growers, retailers and other industry partners to contribute to the effort.

Dole plc

Dole plc, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education.

No Kid Hungry

No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.

Taco Cabana celebrates National Tequila Day

Taco Cabana celebrates National Tequila Day with $6.99 Double Crunch Pizza and Margarita bundle deal. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Starting Friday, July 21, 2023 through Monday, July 24, 2023, in celebration of National Tequila Day (July 24, 2023), Taco Cabana will offer a special bundle deal including any flavor of its popular Double Crunch Pizza and any flavor of its signature frozen margaritas for just $6.99 at all Texas Taco Cabana locations. TC guests can choose from Double Crunch Pizza flavors like Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken or Ghost Pepper Ground Beef and pair it with one of TC’s refreshing margarita flavors – perfect for the sizzling summer season. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

The offer is valid for Friday, July 21, 2023 through Monday, July 24, 2023 only during standard hours of operation at all participating Texas Taco Cabana locations. It does not include TC’s Triple Crunch Pizza.

The Double Crunch Pizza and margarita bundle is available through curbside pick-up, drive-thru, in-restaurant, and via mobile order through the My TC! App.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of July 10, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

 

Useful guide to becoming a better cook

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

If you want to become a better cook, then you are already taking a positive step towards making happier and healthier meals for your family. Take a look below to find out more.

Collect Skills

Home cooks should try and develop a repertoire of tried-and-tested recipes. It’s important to collect skills as well. When you have mastered everything, you can then apply them to several different recipes.  You should ideally know how to make an omelet, a steak, and a simple pan sauce. Other skills you need to master include making classic gravy and short crust pastry. If you can do this, then the world is your oyster when it comes to your cooking journey.

Emulate Professional Chefs

If you want to become a better cook at home, then you need to try and emulate the professionals. You can usually tell if someone is a good cook or not by simply looking at their kitchen. Everything should have a place and ingredients should be stacked, labelled and finally, organized. Your kitchen should be free from clutter, and you should also have a time plan for when you’re cooking. Not taking the time to read the recipe from start to end is a major mistake. You need to know in advance if you need to be leaving something overnight, so keep that in mind.

Invest in your Equipment

If you have a budget, then spend the whole thing on some new knives. Knives should be comfortable, and they should also have a good weight. Store them in a knife block and never put them in the dishwasher. You should have a large cook’s knife for meal prep and a paring knife for things that require greater control. This is especially the case when it comes to cutting up smaller ingredients. A serrated knife is great if you intend to cut up bread and cake too. If you haven’t got one already, then make sure that you invest in a sharpening steel. This will help you to keep your blades nice and sharp.

Choose Gadgets Wisely

If you go to a professional kitchen, then you won’t find gimmicky gadgets. You will find labor saving appliances, such as spice grinders, food processors, mandolins, and meat thermometers. Micro graters are also great to have. If you want to experiment with cutting gadgets then these fall salad recipes are great, as you can practice cutting up different vegetables with ease.

Taste Everything

You need to taste everything again and again. Sometimes a sprinkling of chili flakes ruins a dish, but other times it saves it. Take care when using salted butter in your recipes as it is very difficult to over season this way. Most chefs will use unsalted butter for this very reason. If you are cooking using a white sauce then white pepper seasons the dish while stopping it from having large black lumps, like you’d get with black pepper. You’ll pick up little tricks as you go, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

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Taco Cabana launches limited time Southwest Ranchero menu items and Breakfast Cabana Bowls

Taco Cabana’s ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowls are available during breakfast hours only. Photo: Taco Cabana

Arriving just in time for summer, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy its newest offerings, including the tasty Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® and quesadilla, as well as three all-new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® and a country sausage breakfast taco. Launched on June 21, 2023, these menu items will be available at all Texas Taco Cabana locations while supplies last. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

TC’s latest culinary innovation – the new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® – served three different ways with the guests’ choice of new, deliciously seasoned country sausage and egg, chorizo and egg, or all egg served in a signature TC crispy tortilla shell. Each bowl includes seasoned potatoes, refried beans, queso and pico de gallo and will be available for $4.99 each. Those looking for extra flavor and crunch can add two strips of crispy bacon for $1.59.

A seasoned country sausage breakfast taco will also be introduced to the TC menu for $2.19. The “Gigante Breakfast Cabana Bowls®” and country sausage breakfast taco will be available for purchase during breakfast hours only.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero offerings are a must-try this summer season. The Southwest Ranchero quesadilla consists of two TC flour tortillas filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo and served with a side of sour cream and fresh guacamole and is available in two sizes: small for $6.99 and large for $10.99. The Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® is filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, rice, refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and sour cream in a crispy tortilla shell available for $8.39.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero menu items, country sausage breakfast taco and “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online while supplies last.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of June 8, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

“Great-tasting bowls have long been part of our TC menu. We invite everyone to TC to try our bowl variety. We’re proud of our continued culinary innovation and the introduction of these new bowl options and flavors across all of our TC dayparts – breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new seasoned country sausage breakfast taco and ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowl® also provide our guests an additional protein choice for breakfast. Guests have told us that they’re looking for new breakfast options and they’ll be amazed at not only the tastes, but the size of the new breakfast bowls, filled to the tortilla shell rim for just $4.99 each. We call them ‘Gigante’ for a reason.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and COO

Diversifying your plate: tips for introducing new foods to your diet

Woman in purple eating. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels, used with permission.

We often stick to the tried and tested when it comes to our dietary habits. However, opening up your taste buds to new flavors not only broadens your culinary horizons but gives you a range of health benefits. Here are five strategies to break the monotony and introduce new foods to your diet effectively.

Start Small: Embrace Baby Steps

Introducing new foods into your diet can feel like a culinary adventure. To make this journey smooth and enjoyable, it’s essential to start with small servings. Our palate sometimes needs time to adjust to unfamiliar flavors and small portions can make this adjustment period more manageable.

Imagine you’ve stumbled across a tantalizing lamb burgers recipe, and you’re eager to give it a try. Go all-in and prepare a full meal around this new dish; or you could consider starting with just a mini burger or two, pairing them with familiar side dishes. This step-by-step approach allows your taste buds to familiarize themselves with the new flavors gradually, enhancing your chances of developing a liking for the new food.

Pair With Favorites: Use The Trojan Horse Method

Pairing new foods with your all-time favorites can be a smart way to experiment. This technique not only enhances the flavor profile of your dishes but also makes the unfamiliar, more familiar.

You might love your grilled chicken and use it regularly in your salads. So, when introducing a new vegetable like kale, pair it with your grilled chicken salad. The familiar taste of chicken can help mask the bitterness of kale, aiding your taste buds to get accustomed to it.

Explore Cultural Dishes: The World Is Your Oyster

Every culture has a unique culinary repertoire that can open a whole new world of flavors. Exploring international cuisines not only widens your food choices but also exposes you to a range of nutritious options.

Japanese cuisine, for example, is known for its use of seafood and fermented foods that are excellent for gut health. On the other hand, Mediterranean cuisine utilizes a plethora of fresh vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, which are renowned for heart health. So why not try a traditional Greek moussaka or an Indian lentil curry and bring the world to your kitchen?

Engage Your Senses: Make Eating A Mindful Activity

Mindful eating is a powerful strategy to accept new foods. Paying attention to the colors, smells, and textures of your food can enhance your overall eating experience.

Think of it as a sensory exploration. Say, for a new fruit like dragon fruit, observe its vibrant color, feel its leathery skin, smell its fresh aroma, and then take a bite. This sensory engagement can make the unfamiliar food more appealing and enjoyable.

Be Patient: Accept That It’s A Process

The journey of diversifying your plate is a gradual process. It’s completely natural to not like a new food the first time you try it. Research suggests it may take up to 15 times of trying a new food before you develop a liking for it. So, don’t give up on the first try.

Remember, every step you take towards introducing new foods to your diet is a victory. And over time, your palate will grow to appreciate the variety, leading to a more nourishing and satisfying eating experience.

To sum it up, introducing new foods to your diet doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can gradually expand your culinary landscape, making your meals not just healthier, but also more interesting and enjoyable.

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Tips for improving your cooking skills

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

Unless you’ve got millions of dollars in the bank, you’ll need to know how to prepare meals. It would be nice if you could eat at restaurants or have your own private chef, but for the vast majority of us, that’s just not possible. To keep your finances in check and to eat well, you’ll need to cook at home on most nights. 

And this chore can be difficult, or straightforward and enjoyable, depending on the extent of your cooking skills. If you know how to cook, then you’ll be in a good position to eat well on most nights. Don’t think your current cooking skills are up to standard? Fear not — there are plenty of ways to improve, as we’ll see below. 

Do It Regularly

You can’t expect to get good at something if you only do it once in a blue moon. Cooking is a skill like anything else: the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. We all go through periods when we eat out more, or just use the microwave to prepare our meals. But at some point, you’ll need to commit to making your meals — it’s the only way to get better at it. Over time, you’ll find that you’ve actually gotten pretty good at it. 

New Recipes

You won’t improve your cooking skills if you’re making the same couple of dishes over and over again. That approach might make you good at making those specific dishes, but you probably couldn’t call yourself a good cook. A person who’s good in the kitchen can make a wide range of dishes. Not that the new recipes you add to your repertoire have to be overly challenging. They just need to be different. This easy instant pot Chinese pepper steak recipe, for instance, will allow you to bring a touch of Asian flavor to your cooking. It might be easy to make, but it’ll certainly be a big hit with your family.

Critically Taste Your Creations

You can’t know how good your meals are if you’re just passively consuming them. You’ll only know how to improve if you’re tasting your dishes critically. That is to say, you’re eating them consciously, and really thinking about the taste. Did you add too much salt? Could you have used more salt? By developing your sense of taste, you’ll be able to figure out how good your current dishes are, and where you need to improve. 

Find Better Ingredients

This is perhaps the easiest way to improve the quality of your dishes. The quality of your ingredients will have a direct impact on the final product. After all, you can’t expect low-quality ingredients to produce an outstanding meal. Only the best ingredients will do that. There’s a misconception that better ingredients have to cost more, but that’s not always the case — you can get excellent deals on produce from a farmer’s market, for instance. It’s worth reading the ingredients list of the items you buy to ensure that it really is a quality ingredient. 

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