Hospitality Business Magazine

Swicy Summer Trend Hits NZ

Embrace the latest culinary trend and add a ‘swicy’ twist to your Christmas menus this year to blend tradition and nostalgia with something fresh and exciting.

Even The Food Institute, a longstanding food industry publication in the US, dubbed this year’s American summer as “The Summer of Swicy.” Fifty-three percent of Gen Z shoppers report enjoying swicy flavours, so you know the trend is hot.*

Swicy (sweet and spicy) dishes are taking off around the globe as people pair hot and sweet ingredients together such as chilli, honey, jalapeños, fresh fruit, sriracha, maple syrup and spices.

Add some zing to your plate and upgrade your salads with a swicy honey-mustard dressing to create a memorable holiday meal. Colourful summer salads will also add balance to your Christmas menu, providing opportunities to Add One More Vegetable to your day and reap all the health benefits that fresh produce can offer.

Hot and sweet ingredients, such as Mango & Chile add zing to the dish.

To create a colourful Christmas salad with ‘swicy’ dressing:

Arrange baby spinach in a bowl or on a serving plate.

-Add tomatoes, red capsicum and sliced cucumber which are packed full of vital nutrients and fibre.

-Top with feta cheese, parsley and a swicy dressing comprising Dijon mustard, honey, cayenne pepper, spicy paprika, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic and olive oil.

Other on-trend and festive-looking dishes include a green leaf or cucumber salad with a sweet chilli dressing, or a spinach and fresh nectarine salad dressed with a delicious lemon ginger vinaigrette.

Throw a handful of fresh herbs on top of your swicy salads and get ready to impress your Christmas guests with this playful culinary theme while making sure everyone enjoys 5+ A Day at this indulgent time of year.