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Warm Winter Dishes to Soothe the Senses and Satisfy the Soul

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HUNT VALLEY, Md. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The desire for favorite dishes to soothe the mind, heart and taste buds is one of the trends identified in the McCormick Flavor Forecast 2011, an annual glimpse of the tastes and trends that will define the year ahead. And, as the weather dictates a demand for soul-satisfying classics like stew and pork-and-beans, these dishes are anything but ordinary with new flavor twists from McCormick.

"At this time of year, it's no surprise that people crave foods that are soothing and warming - what's interesting is that people are also seeking out an added layer of fun and flavor to up their level of satisfaction with every bite," said Larry Tong, McCormick chef. "What this means is that bolder and more complex flavors, like the combination of sweet and smoky or an unexpected ethnic twist on a traditional dish, are making food more thrilling than ever before."

While we appreciate the feel-good aspects of comfort foods, we desire more intense flavors to satisfy our changing preferences and palates. For instance, almond butter makes a starring appearance in Coconut-Almond Chicken Stew with Cilantro – a Caribbean-inspired stew enhanced with the addition of coconut milk, red chili paste, and cilantro. This surprisingly simple stew is a rich and hearty warm-up when the temperatures drop. The recipe features one of the 10 flavor pairings selected in this year's McCormick Flavor Forecast: Cilantro & Nut Butters.

Want to redefine an American classic? How about Caramelized Honey & Adzuki Red Beans? Adzuki beans - small, deep red-colored legumes with a sweet, nutty flavor - are commonly used in Japanese cooking and are quickly becoming the hottest new bean in town. This pairing adds a modern touch to Sweet and Smoky "Pork and Beans" as caramelized honey-glazed pork tenderloin is served on a bed of adzuki beans and tomatoes.

Or, try the combination of Mustard Seed & Vermouth in the Dirty Martini Steak Kabobs, inspired by the ingredients used to make the celebrated "shaken, not stirred" drink. A dry vermouth, mustard and olive juice marinade gives steak the "spirit" of the classic cocktail - complete with onion and olive garnishes for the kabobs.

For more information, delicious recipes and tips to experience the flavor trends and all 10 flavor pairings, visit www.flavorforecast.com.

To download flavor pairing images and food photography, visit the digital press room at www.mccormick.com/foodmedia.

About McCormick

With an extensive network of researchers, trend experts, chefs, home economists, food technologists, and sensory analysts, McCormick & Company, Inc. keeps its finger on the pulse of flavor. McCormick was founded in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland. McCormick sources high quality ingredients from far-reaching destinations to bring a world of flavors to consumers. Visit McCormick.com for more information.

Coconut-Almond Chicken Stew with Cilantro

Almond butter makes a starring appearance in this Caribbean-inspired stew enhanced with the addition of coconut milk, red chili paste, and cilantro.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds), trimmed
1

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt

1/2

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Coarse Grind Black Pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 tablespoons Thai Kitchen Roasted Red Chili Paste
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (13.5 ounces) Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk
1 large sweet potato (1 pound), peeled, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch slices (about 2 cups)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into thin strips (1 cup)
1/2 cup smooth almond butter
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Cooked Thai Kitchen Jasmine Rice or basmati rice (optional)
  1. Season chicken with sea salt and pepper. Heat oil in 5-quart nonstick Dutch oven or saucepot on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove chicken. Add onion; cook and stir 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add chili paste; cook and stir 1 minute.
  2. Stir in broth, coconut milk, sweet potato and bell pepper. Bring just to boil. Return chicken and any juices to Dutch oven. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and sweet potato is tender.
  3. Mix almond butter, lime juice and 1 cup of sauce from the stew in medium bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Gradually stir back into stew. Simmer 5 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve over cooked rice, if desired.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 447 Calories, Fat 31g, Protein 25g, Carbohydrates 17g, Cholesterol 78mg, Sodium 679mg, Fiber 3g


Sweet & Smoky "Pork and Beans"

Pork and Beans is given a modern touch as caramelized honey-glazed pork tenderloin is served on a bed of adzuki beans and tomatoes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
1/2 cup Billy Bee Honey
2 tablespoons Thai Kitchen Premium Fish Sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 1/2

teaspoons McCormick Gourmet Collection Smoked Paprika, divided

1 1/2

teaspoons McCormick Gourmet Collection Garlic Powder, divided

1/2

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Crushed Red Pepper

1 pork tenderloin (about 1 1/4 pounds)
2 slices bacon, diced
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Ground Ginger

1/2

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt

1/4

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Coarse Grind Black Pepper

1 can (15 ounces) adzuki beans, drained and rinsed
2 green onions, thinly sliced
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix honey, fish sauce, lime juice, 2 teaspoons of the smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of the garlic powder and red pepper in small bowl until well blended. Brush pork with glaze.
  2. Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until desired doneness, brushing with glaze halfway through cooking time. Let pork stand 5 minutes before slicing.
  3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet on medium heat until crisp. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, remaining 1/2 teaspoon each smoked paprika and garlic powder, ginger, sea salt and pepper; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Gently stir in beans. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Slice pork on an angle into thin slices and serve over bean mixture. Garnish with green onions.

Makes 6 servings.

Test Kitchen Tip:

Adzuki beans are small, russet-colored beans with a sweet, nutty flavor. They are often used in Asian cuisine in confections. They can be purchased dried, canned or powdered in Asian markets or online specialty stores.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 307 Calories, Fat 7g, Protein 25g, Carbohydrates 36g, Cholesterol 60mg, Sodium 647mg, Fiber 4g


Dirty Martini Steak Kabobs

The retro dirty martini is reinterpreted as a dry vermouth and olive juice marinade for steak. The steak kabobs include the typical martini garnishes of onions and olives.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinate Time: 2 hours
3

tablespoons McCormick Gourmet Collection Yellow Mustard Seed

3/4 cup dry vermouth
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons juice from green olives
1 1/2

teaspoons McCormick Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt

1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4

teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Coarse Grind Black Pepper

2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
16 small cippolini onions
16 large pimiento-stuffed green olives
Mixed Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
  1. Heat large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add mustard seed; cook and stir 1 minute or until fragrant. Immediately pour out of hot pan to avoid over-toasting. Coarsely crush seeds using a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle. Reserve 1 tablespoon for the Mustard Vinaigrette (recipe follows).
  2. Mix remaining mustard seed, vermouth, oil, lemon juice, honey, olive juice, lemon peel, sea salt, garlic and pepper in large bowl until well blended. Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade for brushing. Place remaining marinade in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add steak; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 2 hours or longer for extra flavor.
  3. Meanwhile, bring water to boil in small saucepan. Add onions; cook 5 minutes. Drain well. Cool onions slightly. Cut off top and bottom ends, then peel onions. Remove steak from marinade. Discard remaining marinade. Alternately thread steak, onions and olives onto 16 skewers.
  4. Grill kabobs over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until steak is desired doneness, turning occasionally and brushing with reserved marinade. Serve kabobs with Mixed Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette.

Makes 8 servings (2 kabobs and 1 cup salad each).

Mixed Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette:

Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, reserved 1 tablespoon crushed toasted McCormick Gourmet Collection Yellow Mustard Seed, 1 teaspoon dry vermouth, 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Ground Mustard and 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt in medium bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Set aside. Toss 8 cups mixed greens, 1 small red onion, thinly sliced, and 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese in large bowl. Serve with vinaigrette.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 418 Calories, Fat 24g, Protein 28g, Carbohydrates 19g, Cholesterol 62mg, Sodium 713mg, Fiber 3g

McCormick
Laurie Harrsen, 410-527-8753
laurie_harrsen@mccormick.com
or
Weber Shandwick
Melissa Chalus, 312-988-2069
mchalus@webershandwick.com



 
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