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“NEW”STALGIA

close up of rustic golden potato tater tots and ketchup on the table. Vertical top view from above

MODERNIZE YOUR FAVORITE FOODS FROM THE 80s & 90s

What’s old is new again. Millennials and Gen Z are re-imagining popular foods from the late 80s and 90s—taking them to the next level, while keeping the core retro ingredients for warm and fuzzy feelings.

  • Appetizers: Hand-held starters like potato skins can be upgraded with thickly cut potatoes, artisan cheeses, pulled pork, chunky guacamole, and plenty of peppery green onions.
  • Salads: Caesar was the king of salads throughout the 90s, leading to today’s alternative versions using different greens (such as kale and butter lettuce) and adding toppings that include roasted chick peas, sliced avocados, cornbread croutons, and soft-boiled eggs.
  • Main Courses: Casseroles were to the 80s what bowls are to today. Cheeky chefs are reinventing recipes like chicken enchilada casserole, green bean casserole, and turkey pot pie with much more produce, better quality cheeses, upgraded meats, and fresh herbs.
  • Sides: Crispy tater tots have made a healthier comeback through baking instead of deep frying and/or by substituting the potatoes for RSS Cauli Creations.
  • Desserts: House-made Rice Krispie treats and flaky Pop Tarts filled with real fruit (think blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, MFC Strawberries, MFC Apples, and MFC Pears) are fun replicas full of feel-good childhood memories.

Diners are increasingly hyper-focused on high-protein and plant-based foods. Alongside all of the new-fangled, lab-based, cell-cultured options out there is the humble bean. A staple food for millenia, beans are being re-examined as a healthy, versatile ingredient worthy of menu inclusion.

  • Retro and heirloom recipes—like Southern succotash, French cassoulet, and Cajun red beans and rice—fit the bill for those in search of authenticity.
  • Most world cuisines incorporate some type of bean in their classic dishes. Think feijoada in Brazil, black beans and rice with plantains in Puerto Rico, and garbanzo beans in Israel. Modern interpretations of these recipes are packed with produce and herbs.
  • The creamy texture of mung beans is proving an ideal substitute for those that are eliminating soy from their diets.