Top Ten Ingredients in the Hospitality Industry for 2011

Good Nutrition does NOT need to be boring---
Add some healthy variety to your meals by trying some of these ingredients.  (Not everyone will like all of them--but doesn't hurt to try!)

 Pleasant surprises make meals memorable. These ingredients have been pegged as this year's hot trends by hospitality and restaurant consulting firm Andrew Freeman & Co.  (Write up by A. Sheinman)

1. Pimento cheese. It's smooth, spicy and spreadable.

2. Neck meat. Lamb, beef, goat and pork necks are tasty.

3. Whey. Way cool in salads and sauces.

4. Kumquats. Great in salads and desserts.  (Fun citrus fruit.)

5. Smoked garnishes. Dishes are being topped off with smoked olive oil, smoked butter or smoked cumin.

6. Hay. It's used for roasting, smoking and braising.

7. Popcorn. Sweet or spicy, it even works as a crispy crust on meats or fish.

8. Sherry. This quaint quaff is back in style.

9. Beer in sweets. Belly up to the dessert bar for ice cream and cakes made with brew.

10. Honey. Sweet in sauces, dressings.