Nine out of 10 Americans looking to incorporate retro dishes into holiday menus this year, survey says

Nevin Barich

DES MOINES, Iowa , November 3, 2011 (press release) – Nine out of 10 Americans are looking to incorporate retro dishes into their holiday menus this year, according to the National Pork Board's second annual "Holiday Table Trends" survey. Whether you're hungry for nostalgic flavors or modern twists, set a place for pork this holiday season as trendy takes on deviled eggs and reinvented brunch classics make their way to the table.

"To help shake up holiday meals, the National Pork Board conducted a survey to uncover the top food and flavor trends Americans are getting excited about," said Jill Silverman Hough, food and wine expert and author of the 100 Perfect Pairings cookbook series. "Thanks to its versatility, pork has a starring role in any of these tasty holiday trends. With savory bacon and juicy roast pork, it's easy to be inspired by new recipes and introduce new flavors to the holiday table."

In addition to the revival of retro foods, the following emerging trends are expected to grace holiday tables across the country:

* Benefits of Brunch – There's no better cure for the inevitable end-of-year stresses than a casual but generous midday feast with friends and family. Hearty dishes like Pork Roast Strata with Green Chiles and Goat Cheese allow the host to cut down on the kitchen workload and repurpose last night's leftovers.
* Smitten with Small Plates – Popularized by restaurants, the small plate trend is making a big impact for at-home entertaining. Scaled-down servings mean freedom to experiment with a variety of flavors, from kid-friendly finger foods to sophisticated snacks on a stick like Buffalo Pork Skewers with Blue Cheese Sauce.
* Stepped-Up Sides – There's more to holiday entertaining than just the show-stopping centerpiece dish. Jazzed-up sides are taking center stage as the best way to celebrate fresh, seasonal produce and experiment with new flavors. For a side with center-of-the-table flare, try Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Frizzled Ham.


Pork's Perfect Pairings Report: 2011 Guide to the Holiday Table

Inspired by her 100 Perfect Pairings cookbook series, the National Pork Board tapped flavor guru Hough to create new holiday recipes based on the trends uncovered by the survey. Pork's Perfect Pairings Report: 2011 Guide to the Holiday Table showcases a wide range of simple, sophisticated dishes; from brunch to dinner, stepped-up sides and the centerpiece roast. In addition, these recipes come with thoughtful wine pairings and easy-to-follow tips for a complete guide to this year's holiday menu.

To check out the National Pork Board's Pork's Perfect Pairings Report including survey results and for more fresh ideas on how to incorporate pork into all your holiday meals, visit www.PorkBeInspired.com. Also, be sure to "like" us at Facebook.com/PorkBeInspired and follow @AllAboutPork on Twitter.

About The National Pork Board

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management.

About The "Holiday Table Trends" Survey

The "Holiday Food Trends" survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 Americans ages 18 and older between August 17th and August 22nd, 2011, using a random-dialing telephone omnibus survey. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18 and older.

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