{"id":25461,"date":"2021-01-06T16:01:35","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T21:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-gordon-food-service-canada.pantheonsite.io\/ideas\/comfort-food-and-braised-meats-have-staying-power\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T10:56:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T14:56:48","slug":"comfort-food-and-braised-meats-have-staying-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gfs.ca\/en-ca\/ideas\/comfort-food-and-braised-meats-have-staying-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Comfort Food and Braised Meats Have Staying Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

Satisfying, flavorful and creative preparations provide endless menu possibilities.<\/h2>\n

When life turns unpredictable, people turn to the familiar. Restaurants looking to satisfy that need are turning to comfort foods and braised meats as a convenient and economical solution.<\/p>\n

Comfort foods grew more popular as pandemic stress increased, and it\u2019s likely consumers will look for more easy-to-prepare comfort foods and global flavours in 2021. This is an opportunity for restaurants to get creative and offer menu choices that go beyond what people are willing to prepare at home.<\/p>\n

One way to take comfort food to new heights is with braising. It\u2019s simply searing the protein\u2014beef, pork or chicken\u2014and putting it in a roasting pan with a broth or sauce, covering it tightly and slow-cooking until it\u2019s fork-tender.<\/p>\n

Nostalgia meets convenience<\/h3>\n

\u201cOne of the things we\u2019re focused on for 2021 is comfort food,\u201d says Darren Lexa, Gordon Food Service Culinary Specialist in Alberta. \u201cThe types of foods operators are looking at are ones that make an impression.\u201d<\/p>\n

For restaurants, comfort foods that stand out also offer convenience. They can be prepared in large quantities and be used across many applications. Plus, Lexa notes, it produces great flavor from less-expensive cuts of meat. Beef short ribs<\/a>, pork shoulder or poultry<\/a> are very affordable and versatile.<\/p>\n

\u201cStews and braised meats travel well and fit the portability conversation,\u201d he says. \u201cBut don\u2019t overlook creativity. Try a braised short rib pierogi in a Chinese takeout container. Or do a bowl build, a twist on lasagna or even a lobster mac and cheese.\u201d <\/p>\n

Almost any braised meat can be used in a sandwich, as a centrepiece for an entree, shredded in pasta dishes, or, with a little Hispanic flavor, used like barbacoa in tacos or burritos.<\/p>\n

Calling out braised meats and adding some creative flair elevates the perception on the menu.  You can draw a higher price, while providing generous portions and great flavour\u2014a value for the operator and the customer.<\/p>\n

Poutine <\/a>is a great example. Braised beef and mushroom poutine showcases creativity and takes old-school recipes to new levels of comfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s the hook right now,\u201d Lexa says. \u201cFigure out how to take something that\u2019s been around for decades and put a new twist on it that makes it intriguing and on-trend.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Satisfying, flavorful and creative preparations provide endless menu possibilities. When life turns unpredictable, people turn to the familiar. Restaurants looking to satisfy that need are turning to comfort foods and braised meats as a convenient and economical solution. Comfort foods grew more popular as pandemic stress increased, and it\u2019s likely consumers will look for more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":26744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122,68,123,112,69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catering-small-business","category-culinary-ideas","category-hotels-hospitality","category-restaurant-bars","category-running-your-business"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nComfort Food and Braised Meats Have Staying Power | Gordon Food Service<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gfs.ca\/en-ca\/ideas\/comfort-food-and-braised-meats-have-staying-power\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Comfort Food and Braised Meats Have Staying Power\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Satisfying, flavorful and creative preparations provide endless menu possibilities. 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