Not so long ago, cookbook authors, newspaper writers and the very few to have television cooking shows were the ultimate food celebrities. Now, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and even TikTok are introducing a new wave of food personalities.
With the movement of food influencers from traditional to a more diverse range of media platforms, the culture of education is also changing. Long recipes spread over a couple of pages of a book and dishes that are multi-day exercises are on the way out. Colourful pictures, how-to demos and simple recipes are in. The new foodie is looking to be inspired in a few short seconds, and recipes are being adapted accordingly.
@adolfocantero ##fritopie ##homemadefritopies ##bombfood ##fire ##yougottatrythis ##itsbomb ##mystyle ##adolfogang ##cholocheff ##elcook ##elchef ##enjoy
♬ original sound - K
TikTok-inspired smoky Fritos (or Cheetos) pie
Ingredients:
- 2 strips bacon, diced
- 1 carrot, peeled, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 chipotle in adobe*, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 2 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans, drained
- 1 4 oz can tomato paste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 can dark beer
- 2 to 3 cups Fritos or Cheetos**
- Shredded cheddar cheese, to serve
- Maritime Madness, Bacon Blaze Hot Sauce, to serve
- Avocado cream (see recipe below)
- Pickled jalapeños, sliced, to serve
Directions: Place large pot over medium-low heat. Sauté bacon for 2 to 3 minutes, then add onion, carrot and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft. Add the chipotle, garlic and spices. Sauté until fragrant. Add the beef. Stir using a wooden spoon. When the beef is browned, drain to remove excess fat. Add the tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, sugar and beer. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer on low for 2 to 3 hours. When ready to serve transfer chili to a 9 or 10-inch pie pan. Set the oven to broil. Fill pan with chili. Top with Fritos (or Cheetos) and cheese. Broil for 2 minutes (or until cheese is melted). Remove from oven and drizzle with hot sauce and avocado cream. Garnish with pickled jalapeños. An alternative way to present is to serve the chili in the chip bag. Make a vertical slit in the bag. Place a ladleful of chili inside. Add some shredded cheese, jalapeños and squeeze each of hot sauce and avocado cream.
*Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce come in a can. They can typically be found with the salsa or in the international aisle of your local grocery store.
**I tried with both Fritos and Cheetos. While the original recipes call for Fritos, I preferred the Cheetos.
Avocado cream
Ingredients:
- 2 avocados, peeled, pitted
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 limes, juice
- Pinch chili flakes
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
Directions: Place all ingredients in a blender. Puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5 social media food trends for 2021
1. #traceability Recipes may be getting shorter, but the social impact is greater as foodies put the spotlight on local producers.
2. #plantfood Plant food will take on a new meaning in 2021 as plant-based diets become cultural norm.
3. #middleeast Our understanding of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine will go beyond hummus, falafel and tagine in 2021. Expect to use harissa, sumac and za’atar as go to condiments and seasonings.
4. #comfortwithatwist One of the biggest food fads on TikTok is taking nostalgic convenience foods and give them new life in recipes. Read my recipe for Smoky Frito Pie inspired by TikTok.
5. #instagramfoodart In an age of selfies, food trends will continue to embrace the photogenic nature of food. That means bright and trendy colours such as millennial pink will continue to dominate.
5 local foodies to follow
1. @eatwithjessie Halifax-based Jessica Emin’s wonderful sense of colour draws you into her contemporary and very Instagram-worthy food photography. Who wouldn’t want to #eatwithjessie?
2. @myislandbistro Charlottetown resident Barbara Mayhew delivers up traditional Maritime bistro fare.
3. @gabbypeytoneats St. John’s resource for where eat and how to eat well.
4. @mackenzie_tomlin A fast-talking and wonderfully charming home baker with local TikTok celebrity status.
@mackenzie_tomlin Vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream and these adorable buttercream flowers! 🍓🌸 ##cake ##tiktokbaking ##grad ##classof2020 ##novascotia ##canada ##fyp
♬ original sound - Mackenzie
5. @andyseastcoastkitchen Andy Hay has turned a stint on MasterChef into East Coast food celebrity status with his welcoming persona and simple cooking style.
See you next week when we'll offer more great food and drink recipes. Until then, keep following your foodie dreams.
Mark DeWolf is a connoisseur of all things food and drink. He's a creative director with SaltWire and local fare is his specialty. Watch Mark whip up seasonal plates in his video series, In a Jiffy, and go deeper with food trends and kitchen challenges weekly.
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