Guest Post: Edible Trends in 2012

**As a “gift” for the new year, I asked my friend and fellow St. Louis food blogger Iron Stef to write about a food trend for the new year. I love what she came up with, and I hope you do too!**

When Stacy asked me to write a guest post, she suggested maybe something about what we will be eating in the new year. I started researching to see what people thought would be the big food trends of 2012. What I kept seeing was not much different from the trends we started to see in the past couple of years...comfort foods and home cooking. Basically trends based on the suffering economy, and the fact that people are going out less in order to save money, and eating more simple, hearty foods in order to sooth their souls.

Mashed potatoes are apparently going to be big, and grilled cheese is going to overtake the hamburger. Infused liquors are huge right now. Breakfast for dinner. Noodles. You get the picture... simple, familiar but with a twist, made-at-home optimism food.

Food can be all the things we (literally) crave in tougher times... nourishment, diversion, adventure, delight. You know what's also helpful? Being with friends and loved ones. Food & companionship. Sounds like... a party.  

Why not organize some edible-based parties in the new year?

Grilled Cheese Party!

(photo source) So simple. Assign people to bring different cheeses, topping and bread. Have several griddles ready to go, and let people get creative. It is amazing what people will come up with and even more fun to see people go out of their comfort zones to try new cheeses and flavor combinations. Be sure to cut each sandwich into fourths, so people can try a variety of combos!

Cheeses: gruyere, sharp cheddar, brie, blue cheese, camembert, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, manchego

Bread: sourdough, brioche, rye bread, whole grain, Wonder

Toppings: bacon, sliced apples/pears, jams & preserves (fig, apricot, pepper, apple butter), sliced radishes, pickles, cured meats, pickled vegetables, mustards, hot sauce or salsa, tomatoes, sliced fennel, fresh herbs

Mashed Potato Party!

(photo source) Make some basic mashed potatoes and set up a bar of mix-ins. Let people go carb-crazy!

Mix-ins: sour cream, various shredded cheeses, crème frache, fresh herbs, bacon, corn, chutneys, curry paste, olives, cooked turkey, assorted gravies, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, salsa, spice blends, cooked spinach

Ramen Party!

Get some good noodles and make homemade stocks (fish, chicken and beef) and your friends can make cold weather-fighting concoctions.

Add-ins: bean sprouts, shredded carrots, cilantro, pork sung (pork wool), pickled garlic, roasted pork, roasted chicken, cooked shrimp, fresh cilantro, fresh lime leaves, pickled onions, fresh grated ginger, fresh sliced lemongrass, red chile flakes, jalapenos, water chestnuts, raw eggs, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, Sriracha sauce, lime wedges

French Fry Party!

(photo source) One of my new favorite obsessions is poutine... French fries with gravy and cheese curds. Which begs the question, what else can I put on fries? If you think of them as baked potatoes AND nachos.... the possibilities are endless.

Toppings: assorted gravies, cheese sauce, cheese curds or shredded cheese, green onions, bacon, truffle salt, salsa, sour cream, fresh herbs, fried garlic slices, cooked crumbled sausage, cooked hamburger, chili

Infused Booze Party!

This could really be in conjunction with a food party... what's a party without cocktails, right? Have people make infused liquors, and provide mixers.

Infusions: ginger root vodka, peppercorn tequila, herbs in gin, coffee vodka, bacon vodka, candy-infused booze, fruit-infused booze, chili pepper tequila or vodka

Mixers: ginger ale, club soda, tomato juice, bloody mary mix, mango juice, cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, simple syrup, bitters, spices, fresh herbs (mint, basil etc.), sugar, salt

Question: Have you ever been to a food party?