The past year has been tough, but now that summer is in full swing, we can finally get together and spend some quality time with the people we've missed so much. To help you make the most of it, here are five culinary trends that will elevate your backyard parties.
The non-alcoholic trend is still going strong: A growing variety of non-alcoholic wines, beers, spirits and ready to drink beverages can be found on store shelves, and an increasing number of established cocktail creators are crafting delicious non-alcoholic cocktails built on a base of fresh fruit juices , Quebec-made products and high-end syrups. From the Shirley Temple to the sober spritz, there's a world of possibilities!
Forget about frappés and iced coffees: bubble tea is THE summer drink. Originally from Taiwan, this blend of tea, milk and flavoured tapioca pearls has taken coffee shops and juice bars across the province by storm. There are now countless coffee, juice and frappé variations, with flavours ranging from creamy to fruity. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong!
We've missed long, leisurely brunches, and now that we can enjoy them again, we're going all out! Local fruits are at their peak in the summer, so why not showcase them on your brunch table along with a selection of gourmet pastries and other sweet treats . Complete your spread with yogurt, toast with honey and jams and a carafe of coffee or mint tea.
Picnics in the park are huge this summer! It's the perfect opportunity to share a meal with friends or family while enjoying the outdoors. For a twist, do your next picnic mezze-style and have everyone bring a dish to share, grilled eggplant salad , beet salad , fattouch and taboulé, dolmas, kibbeh and moussaka are just a few ideas to get you started.
Cheese and charcuterie platters are also a great option for light picnic fare. For a balanced platter, make sure to include a firm cheese, a soft cheese, a blue cheese and a goat cheese. For meats, we recommend dried sausage, smoked meat and liver pâté. Complete your platter with an assortment of olives, dried fruit and nuts, and slices of bread or crackers.
Summer means BBQ season, and this year, we're grilling vegetarian style! There are tons of meatless sausages and patties out there for easy vegetarian hot dogs and burgers. Vegetables, halloumi, fruit, tempeh and marinated tofu can be thrown straight on the grill or added to skewers. Prefer your vegetables steamed? Just wrap them in a foil packet and toss on the grill.
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