Refresh and Rejuvenate Your Spring Menu
Spring is right around the corner (we hope!) so say goodbye to menu items that warm the soul and say hello to refreshing dishes and drinks that are sure to reinvigorate hungry diners coming out of their winter hibernation. With spring comes a plethora of finally-in-season produce, fresh herbs, and lighter flavors to offset heavier items that dominate winter menus. Keep in mind upcoming foodservice industry trends and you’ll be sure to satisfy customers and boost your bottom line. Whether you’re a non-commercial foodservice operator, a chef, a caterer, or a restaurant manager, get a jump start on planning your seasonal spring menu now so you can enjoy that warm sunshine we’ve all been missing … once it finally arrives.
Rhubarb, Asparagus, and Peas, Oh My!
All your favorite produce items will be back in season meaning fresher ingredients for customers and lower costs for your business. Offering produce-centric dishes will help you gain interest from health-conscious diners and if you buy local, you’ll also win over the stomachs of sustainability seekers.
- For breakfast offer a refreshing rhubarb jelly for toast, or a fruit medley of peaches, mangoes, and blueberries sprinkled with fresh-cut basil.
- This asparagus, leek, and gruyere quiche is a rich option for any day-part and would work well for small or large operations. Find tips and tricks on how to cook asparagus, as well as a variety of recipes, here.
- As a lunch or dinner option, offer linguine mixed with spring vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, and snap peas topped with salt and pepper for taste. Want to add a boost of flavor? Try cooking it with pesto, or spice it up with turmeric or crushed red pepper flakes. Yum!
I’ll Take Mine With A Fancy Umbrella, Please
Creamy smoothies and fancy mocktails are becoming widely popular across the foodservice industry as operators place more emphasis on stylish presentation and new flavors. Being that these beverages don’t include alcohol, they’re appropriate for campus dining menus, catered events, or even an office café.
- Crafting fancy mocktails infused with fresh herbs or spices is a tasty way to add new flavor to customary drinks. Start wowing your customers by mixing mint, basil, rosemary, or cinnamon into mocktail offerings.
- While smoothies are typically seen on beverage menus, they can also moonlight as a healthy meal option by adding seasonal produce like fresh greens, avocados, mangoes, berries and pineapple.
Spring Soup and Salad
Soups and salads are easy up-sell items for any lunch or dinner menu and even help reduce food waste in the kitchen.
- Leftover produce like asparagus ends, carrots, or peas can be pureed into a Soup of the Day to cut down on food waste and create a unique add-on item that will peak customer’s curiosity.
- Nothing says spring like a refreshing, light vinaigrette dressing on a salad chock full of fresh ingredients. Another way to repurpose a vinaigrette? Use it as a chicken marinade or drizzle it atop grilled vegetables.
- Switch up your salad game this spring with a splash of citrus for a modern spin on a menu staple. Try incorporating fresh-squeezed lime juice or sliced oranges, or offer this spinach and quinoa salad with grapefruit and avocado. (Shown below, this salad was tested and approved by a few CaterTrax foodies!)
Although it might be hard to start thinking about planning, and updating, your spring menu when you’re still feeling the winter blues, these ideas should help spark your creativity and put some spring back in your step … and your menu. Are you a current CaterTrax client? When you’re ready to update your spring menu simply submit a new menu ticket detailing your request and a CaterTrax Menu Specialist will complete any menu revisions and additions you need. If you require assistance, please call the CaterTrax Support Team at: 1-800-975-TRAX (8729)
Do you need a catering management software to streamline your foodservice operation? CaterTrax offers a platform that manages all aspects of your business, covering both front-of-house and back-of-house processes. Customers will be happy with a simple online ordering system, while administrators have access to detailed reporting capabilities, customer management tools, marketing resources, and more. See what the TRAX Platform can do for you and take control of your operation today.