3 ways to lighten up comfort food and keep the crave factor

{Photograph} courtesy of Barilla

Consolation meals aren’t usually recognized for being “wholesome”—typically together with fried parts, cheese and cream and different wealthy components, as an illustration. And whereas shopper curiosity in consolation meals all through the pandemic spiked—and that curiosity continues to be excessive—many diners could also be on the lookout for lightened-up variations of the meals they love most. These days, customers’ definition of what makes meals wholesome consists of extra than simply energy or grams of fats—they’re curious about pure components, recent produce, high quality proteins, plant-based choices and extra. For foodservice operators, it may be powerful to enchantment to a broad vary of consumers and embrace each crowd-pleasing favorites in addition to gadgets that these on the lookout for one thing more healthy are on the lookout for. Fortunately, there are some easy options that operators can take into account. Listed here are 3 ways to loosen up fashionable consolation meals—with out shedding nice style.

1. Add extra veggies

One of many best methods to loosen up consolation meals dishes is to include greens. This provides bulk to a dish, so the portion measurement of all the things else can keep the identical whereas the addition of broccoli, spinach, carrots and different greens make the dish extra filling. For extra enchantment, operators can select seasonal greens so as to add to dishes to seize diners who search for in-season produce. Assume summer season squash, candy corn and tomatoes in the summertime; winter squash, broccoli and kale within the cooler months; and snap peas and asparagus in springtime. You possibly can even mix pureed veggies like carrots, butternut squash or cauliflower into sauces for a “stealth well being” method. Want inspiration? Strive making Red Lentil Penne Spring Vegetable Carbonara, or add zucchini and corn to a linguini-and-seafood dish.

2. Select part-skim dairy merchandise

Subsequent, operators can decrease the fats content material of a dish—with out shedding the indulgence issue—by switching to part-skim cheeses or roux and entire milk rather than heavy cream. Strive part-skim mozzarella in lasagna, or half-and-half in an alfredo dish. By merely swapping in lower-fat variations of the components that diners already know and love, operators can mix the flavour of basic dishes with the enchantment of lighter recipes. Strive utilizing low-fat ricotta cheese in lasagnas—diners gained’t inform the distinction.

3. Use whole-grain, plant-based or high-protein pastas

Lastly, to spice up the diet of pasta dishes, operators can use pastas which might be excessive in protein, made with entire grains or made with legumes. These days, choices for nearly any dietary wants can be found—even with pasta! Whether or not diners want gluten-free decisions, wish to amp up the protein content material so that they keep fuller longer or wish to add extra greens to their weight-reduction plan, there’s a Barilla pasta product that’s the right resolution. Strive Chickpea or Pink Lentil pastas—accessible in a wide range of shapes equivalent to rotini, penne, spaghetti and extra. For the protein-lovers, Barilla’s Protein+™ choices supply 10 grams of protein per serving and can be found in seven shapes, together with penne rigate, rotini, skinny spaghetti and extra.

Need extra inspiration for lightening up and making consolation meals extra nutritious? Click here to view an array of recipes that diners are certain to like. 

This submit is sponsored by Barilla