Edible Trends: Chinese goes Classy

Everyone loves cuddling up on the couch with a box of Chinese food. It is the perfect order-in comfort food. But why should this delicious cuisine be limited to take-out and restaurant dining? This week PBL is excited to feature Chinese food as a chic and classy option for wedding catering.

Start things off with refreshing lettuce wraps. This appetizer can be served buffet style- perfect for mingling guests.

Impress guests with a Lotus Root Soup appetizer. The secret ingredient in this and other Cantonese-style soups is dried honey dates.

Instead of a salad, serve Chinese Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce (above) and Shrimp Chow Mein.

For the main dish, keep the recipe classic and focus on presentation...

Glazed Cashew Chicken

Jiaozi (pork and leek dumplings)

Fish with Black Bean Sauce 

Our top choice for dessert (besides the wedding cake of course) is the almond tea with puff pastry- simple and delicious! 

Photo Credit: RasaMalaysia.com

Edible Trends: Cajun foods

Add a little flair to your next event and get inspired by the best of New Orleans- Cajun food. Whether it is French-influenced or traditional, these flavorful dishes are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Canapes are the perfect appetizers for cocktail hour. Easy to eat and visually pleasing, these tarts can be topped with a variation of flavors that can tie into the main dish.

Cannelli bean, salmon, and caviar canapes

Shrimp Creole served over Garlic Grits

Shrimp Creole is an easy, delicious meal that is reminiscent of the more famous gumbo and jambalaya dishes, but is thicker and spicier. 

You can also serve creole with clams for the ultimate seafood fiasco.

Crawfish is another traditional Cajun dish, which is usually served whole with simple garnishes. For a more formal occasion, go gourmet with a more intricate dish like this crawfish and scallop pink pasta. 

Don't forget to decorate your spread with Mardi Gras masks (perfect for impromptu photoshoots among guests)!

Who says you have to wait until Fat Tuesday to have this much fun?

Photo credit: Laynefell, The Passionate Cook, Gourmet Girl, ifood, Wedding Window, Jenny N. Design, Browneyedbellejulie

Edible Trends: Pho

What in the world is Pho? Pho is basically a noodle soup that is traditionally beef-based with spices. The dish is pronounced “fuh” (not “foe” or “foo” or “puh”). It can also be made with many other types of meat and fish, or it can be completely vegetarian. 

This trendy treat would make the perfect "do it yourself" food bar at a wedding. 

Beef Noodle Soup

Pho from a bar in Barcelona

Who said soup can't be "pho"abulous?

Photo Credit: Steamy Kitchen and Vip Gormet

Edible Trends: Biscuit Lovin'

Inspired by New York Times article You are Making Your Biscuits Wrong, we couldn't help but feature the homemade biscuit as our food of the week. With ingredients as simple as flour, baking powder and little milk, who could imagine that there countless ways to make them "wrong". Whether you use heavy cream or milk, salt or sugar, a fresh baked biscuit is certain to be a crowd pleaser if styled correctly.

Here is some eye candy that proves how this classic treat can be the sweetest addition to any affair, once you get your recipe perfected, that is...

Biscuits can be classic...or cutesy!

Happy baking!


Photo Credit : The Paupered Chef, The Sweetest Occasion, New York Times, Petit Chef, Etsy

Edible Trends: Italian Romance

Why not import your wedding cuisine from the most romantic country in the world- Italy! Italian can be served by course in a traditional fashion, or buffet style for a more casual occasion. Start with a Caprese salad bar, followed by a mushroom risotto. For the main dish, seafood cioppino as a always a hit. And to top it all off, treat guests to a old-fashioned gelato stand. Forget the honeymoon, bring Italy to you wedding to share the love with the whole family!

Photo Credit: Mrsandrealorenz, Straight from the Farm, The Perfect Pantry, The Knot

Edible Trends: Seafood

Attention seafood lovers! Our latest obsession is seafood at weddings. Fish entrees are common, but think how creative you can get with appetizers and buffet bars. Here are the favorites...

Lobster rolls are the yummiest new trend. Sweet, crunchy, and delicious!

The classic crab cake- but mini! Don't they look like gourmet tater tots?

If you are setting up a seafood bar, try mini-fish or shrimp tacos and let guests garnish to their liking.

For a cozy vibe, offer clam chowder bread bowls!

Anyone hungry yet?

Photo Credit: Glamour, Savvy Eat, Martha Stewart, Food Mayhem

Edible Trends: Tasty Vegan

When you think of Vegan cuisine do you think bland, boring, and healthy? Hopefully not,  because vegan is anything but that- if it's done right! Most event planners and party hostesses consider vegetarian options, but why not go vegan all the way?

Look at the following menu. Can you believe it is all vegan?

Hors d'oeuvres
Sweet potato spread and plum tomato crostini with balsamic drizzle
Endive and apple haroseth salad
Fresh fruit skewers
Veggie brochettes with mushrooms, zucchini, and red bell pepper romesco
Dinner
Southern-inspired fried "chicken" with barbecue sauce
Seitan meatloaf with mushroom gravy
Collard greens and garlic mashed potatoes
Wedding cake
Chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache frosting

(menu borrowed from a real wedding feature on VegNews)


Here are some tasty vegan dishes that are wedding friendly and fun...

Love this "pho-bulous" noodle soup recipe from Messy Vegetarian Cook

Can't go wrong with vegan tacos from Real Simple 

For the more casual crowd, try an Italian "Sausage" dog (and never know the difference). Wouldn't it be fun to create a build-your-own hotdog bar with tons of crazy toppings? 

Instead of catering vegan there is always the more causal (and trendy) option of having a food truck at the wedding. Most major cities are catching on to this dining trend and it makes feeding guests easy and fun. One of our favorites is Seabirds Truck based in Southern California (famous for their Beer Battered Avocado Tacos). Even the truck looks classy!

So it's true-vegan menus can be a total hit at any event!

Edible Trends: Mint Juleps

Looking for the perfect summer wedding drink? A refreshing mint julep is classic, stylish, and delicious. Here is "the perfect recipe" from the Food Network.

4 cups bourbon
2 bunches fresh spearmint
1 cup distilled water
1 cup granulated sugar
powered sugar

See the detailed directions here.

One of the best things about these icy treats is the many ways that they can be fashioned and styled to fit your event. From southern comfort to garden chic, the julep is such a wonderful addition to a table spread or drink table.

If you love the idea of a julep, but already have a drink in mind don't fret. The mint julep can be reinvented into ice cream sherbet, panna cotta, or cupcakes!

 So fresh and fun!

Credits: Southern Living, My Recipe, Leitesculinaria, Yum Sugar

Edible Trends: Food Trucks

Food trucks are all the rage this year. What could be better? Your favorite foods on wheels right where you want them! San Francisco's daily "off the grid" event is a mobile street food gathering that pops up in various neighborhoods offering cheap eats, a full bar, music, and a fun crowd. Below is the scene at Fort Mason in San Francisco's Marina district.

Off the grid also offers private catering. Wouldn't this be a fun idea for a late night wedding snack, or even for the main meal? Let your guests pick and choose from tons of foods from around the world. It would spark a lot of interesting conversation topics and would definitely be a nice break from a stuffy five course dinner.

Beef and Pork Tacos from Kung Fu Tacos

Steam Buns from Chairman Bao

Nothing is better than good eats and happy guests.

Credits: Bay Area Bites, Bare Magazine, Bite Club Eats

Edible Trends: Beer Cocktails

Kick it up a notch from bottled beer and well drinks. Why not test out your mixology skills and experiment with beer cocktails? They are delicious, easy to make, and fun to drink.

The most simple beer cocktail is "The Black Velvet" which is one part stout and one part champagne. Serve this classic in a fancy flute and you've got yourself a drink!

Seasoned bartenders commonly call it "The Cure". This easy cocktail for is also for beginners. Mix together beer, lemon juice, liquor, and a touch of ginger. Sip the night away.

And for experts only... try the refreshing Mexican cocktail "Happy Mich".The main ingredients are Dos Equis, hot sauce, watermelon cubes, lime juice, and salt. Get the official recipe from Epicurious.

Does anyone else want to take these cocktails and hit the beach? 

Credits: Your Life Events and Epicurious.com

Edible Trends: Flowers or Food?

Brighten up your spring table with entrees that can double as decor. Sure, "edible" flowers can do the trick, but even everyday veggies can be beautiful. Lets take a second look at some classics.

These turnips resemble buds when they are whole and petals after they are cut. Decorate a green salad with them and you have yourself an edible bouquet.  

Broccoli perfection or dark Viburnum?

And to save the best for last: figs. These fruits add and absolutely gorgeous and sensual element to any table.

Yum!

Photo Credit: 101 Cookbooks, Leo Gong styled by Dan Becker, Heidi Swanson, Cherry Menlove, Karen Mordechai via Sunday Suppers