As diners search for familiarity in dishes that taste like home, professional chefs have the power to turn mundane, everyday ingredients into mouth-watering masterpieces. But in a competitive food industry, chefs must also be the experts at experimenting with new flavours to ensure their culinary creations continue to impress and keep up with the local trends.
Whether you’re a novice or professional chef, here are 5 trending local flavours to incorporate in your dishes to spice up your menu. If you’re looking for modernised recipe ideas and local food trends in Singapore, download the Future Menus report!
1. Salted Egg
The salted egg flavour has captured the hearts of many in recent years1. While it may have originated from Chinese cuisine years ago, it has quickly become a global sensation loved by many for its buttery texture and savoury decadence.
With a dash of salted egg sauce, even the simplest dishes can be transformed into something exquisite. It makes the perfect ingredient to spice up almost anything, from stir fries, cakes, to even ice cream.
How to use salted egg in your dishes:
- Marinade: Use the Knorr Golden Salted Egg Powder as a marinade to elevate the flavour profile of any meat. Try this Creamy Salted Egg Chicken recipe — a classic dish loved by locals.
- Stir-fry: Stir fry almost anything with salted egg to create an exciting fusion special. Try this Salted Egg Crab Meat Fried Rice recipe to take your rice from plain to drool-worthy.
- Sauce/Dip: Use salted egg as a dip to give your finger foods a luxurious touch. Try out this Curly Fries with Salted Egg Dip recipe for a great pairing.
- Soup: Salted egg works surprisingly well with soup for a unique combination. This Cream of Pumpkin-Salted Egg Soup recipe is bound to impress guests.
The Knorr Golden Salted Egg Powder can be used in many ways to jazz up your menu and bring an authentic salted egg flavour to any dish.
2. Sriracha
It’s bold, it’s spicy, and it has taken the world by storm2. Sriracha is a fiery hot sauce that can turn any regular dish into an explosion of heat and flavour. Its iconic red colour comes from its primary ingredient, chilli peppers, but it also contains a mix of garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt.
While it’s commonly used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, it has quickly become well-loved by many across the globe
How to use sriracha in your dishes:
- Marinade: Hellmann’s Smoked Chilli Dressing serves a spicy kick just like sriracha. Marinade meats such as chicken wings and pork ribs in the dressing and grill them for a smoky and spicy flavour combination that will surprise you.
- Salads: Drizzle Hellmann’s Smoked Chilli Dressing over salads to give your leafy greens an unforgettable spicy and tangy flavour.
Enjoy the versatility of Hellmann’s Smoked Chilli Dressing by using it to spice up any dish. Don’t know where to start? Try out this Roast Chicken with Smoked Chilli Honey Glaze recipe.
3. Lime
Underneath the unassuming exterior of lime lies a world of flavour and culinary magic. Just a squeeze of lime is enough to elevate any dish with its refreshing, zesty taste. Besides amazing flavour, it’s known for being packed with health benefits, and its natural acidity can even be used as a marinade to tenderise meats.
How to add lime in your dishes:
- Seasoning: Whip up the ultimate Chilli Lime Seasoning by using Knorr Lime Flavoured Powder to create a sour and spicy seasoning that will jazz up your meats and seafood.
- Lime juice: No matter what you’re cooking, lime juice can be added to give your dish a pleasantly tangy flavour. It makes a great complement to stews, sauces, and even sweet desserts.
- Garnish: Lime also makes a great garnish when sliced into wedges or halved.
Amping up your menu could be as simple as adding a touch of lime to your dishes. Try it out quick and easy with the Knorr Lime Flavoured Powder.
4. Tom Yum
Tom yum is a beloved Thai delicacy known for its unique flavour profile that marries fiery spice with the freshness of citrus and herbs. Made with a blend of lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, Thai chillies and fish sauce, it is sweet, spicy, and sour all in one.
How to use tom yum in your dishes:
- Soup: Cook an iconic Thai Style Tom Yum Soup effortlessly with Knorr Tom Yum Paste, which was developed by chefs to bring out its authentic Thai aroma and taste.
- Stir-fry: Tom yum is so versatile that Knorr Tom Yum Paste can even be used with dry dishes like pasta and fried rice.
- Marinade: Use Knorr Tom Yum Paste to marinate any meat, from fish to pork, and even seafood.
Add distinct flavour to your menu with Knorr Tom Yum Paste to give your customers an exciting dining experience.
5. Black Pepper
Black pepper is reigned as the king of spices3 for its unrivalled versatility and intoxicating aroma. It’s often made from the dried berries of the Piper nigrum plant and enjoyed as whole peppercorns or ground pepper.
With its heavenly earthiness and warmth, it is well-loved by chefs around the world and used to add a layer of complexity and depth to almost every dish
How to use black pepper in your dishes:
- Soups, Stews, Stocks, and Broths: Just a sprinkle of black pepper over soups and stews add subtle heat to intensify its richness and aroma.
- Stir-fry: Use Knorr Black Pepper Sauce to enhance your cooking and add a spicy kick to proteins and vegetables.
- Dip: Black pepper can even be used to make a dipping sauce that perfectly complements any crispy snack. Make a flavourful and robust Minced Beef Black Pepper Dip quickly with Knorr Black Pepper Sauce.
The Knorr Black Pepper Sauce is so versatile as it can elevate almost any dish by introducing a gentle spicy kick that harmoniously blends with the flavours of your dish.
Leveraging local trending flavours in your cooking gives you a better opportunity at appealing to your customers’ taste buds. Try it out today by experimenting with crowd-favourite flavours such as salted egg, sriracha, lime, tom yum, and black pepper to surprise them.
