These are 7 food trends you seriously need to try out in 2017
We’re all eagerly looking forward to what 2017 has to bring, because whatever it is, it’ll be better than what 2016 threw at us. Pinterest has already predicted what the most popular pins will be in 2017, from beauty products to DIY home decor to food trends. We’re most excited about the food trends (obv), especially since a lot of them are much different than the trends we saw on our pin boards last year.
We’ll see some healthy eating ideas, like homemade veggie chips and surprising vegan meat substitutes. 2017 will also be the year we’re inspired to put on our chef hat and experiment with octopus and fancy French cooking techniques. And it seems like the fermented foods trend, which was red hot last year, won’t be losing popularity anytime soon.
If at any time you feel unsure about (or terrified of) any of these food trends, just remember that Pinterest has plenty of inspiration for you to pull from, so you’ll never have to go it totally alone. To make these food trends even more fun, invite some friends over to help you cook up a storm. Besides, you need someone to share the finished product with.
1. Cooking with this meat substitute.
Ever heard of jackfruit? It’s a fruit from Southeast Asia that’s packed with all kinds of nutrients: potassium, vitamin B, and protein. Slightly sweet and super tasty, it’s the perfect substitute for meat, and you can turn it into vegan pulled pork, vegan barbecue tacos, etc. There will be an abundance of jackfruit recipes out there in 2017, because Pinterest named it the number one food trend. You can usually find canned jackfruit in the Asian food aisle of your local grocery store.
2. Octopus dishes.
You’ve probably never cooked with octopus yourself, since it’s a dish you normally eat when you’re dining out. Pinterest predicts that will all change in 2017, though. Octopus is a lot easier to cook with than you might think, so don’t shy away from it because it feels foreign to you. Grilled octopus is a safe place to start, and it only takes a few ingredients to make a yummy dinner. Keep your eyes peeled for Italian octopus recipes as well.
3. Healthy homemade chips.
According to Pinterest, searches for “healthy snacks” went up 200 percent last year. It seems like everyone wants to know how to make an alternative for potato chips. The good news is, it’s really easy to make veggie chips, so you don’t have to pay an exorbitant amount for the packaged ones you buy at the health food shop. Experiment with zucchini chips and spiced veggie chips, and don’t be afraid to flip through any recipes of “clean eating chips,” because those are going to be popular on Instagram.
4. Empanadas.
We promise they’re not as difficult to make as you think. Empanadas are totally worth the minimal effort it takes to make them, and they’re a perfect way to entertain people at pretty much any party in 2017. Play around with the ingredients of the filling, depending on what your tastes are.
5. Sous vide cooking.
Let your inner French chef shine with the sous vide technique. That’s pronounced soo-veed, and it’s a French term that means under vacuum. It’s a technique of cooking food that’s been vacuum-sealed in a bag and then immersed into water, where it’s cooked at a low temperature for a certain amount of time. Even the most inexperienced of kitchen hands can have a go at this cooking technique, so you have every reason to give it a shot this year. Your dinner guests will be floored at the result.
6. Homemade sauerkraut.
The Korean fermented cabbage dish kimchi made a huge splash in the Western world in 2016, and the fermented trend is carrying on strong with sauerkraut. Think of making sauerkraut as a fun science project you used to do in school, only this time you’re doing it with cabbage, not fake lava. It’s super easy to make, as long as you’re patient with the fermentation process. And because sauerkraut is such a healthy way to get your probiotics, it’s something that’s really worth learning to make.
7. Buddha bowls.
You don’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan to appreciate this food trend. Buddha bowls cover the full nutritional spectrum, packing protein, fiber, vegetables, and healthy fats all in one dish, making it the perfect weeknight dinner for yourself after a busy day. There are countless recipes to choose online, but once you get the hang of it, you can eventually just throw together your own Buddha bowl using whatever ingredients you love best. Be as creative as you want!
