Essence Themes

Aptly named because they taste just like their bigger counterparts, microgreens are a form of young, edible greens. The young, tender crops are grown to the first true leaf stage and harvested as seedlings. They also grow quickly; seeds are planted and grown in soil or a soil substitute and are ready to harvest in 7-14 days. Arugula, beets, radish, ...

July and August are prime time for produce; this is the time of year to start planning for the bumper crop of summer squash and zucchini, stone fruits, tomatoes, peppers and lettuces. With such a gold mine of produce available, chefs can get creative and branch out with a variety of applications, whether it’s sweet or savory. Amid high beef ...

A la plancha is a type of cooking that is light, flavorful, intense, exceptionally fresh and generally regarded as healthy. Th e secret is la plancha which translates to “the griddle.” Unlike the stainless steel 350°F griddles we use in American kitchens, the plancha is usually much hotter (450°F+) wood or charcoal fired, and can be made of carbon steel, ...

Snapchat continues to be one of the fastest growing photo and video sharing apps available today. Snapchat allows users to add captions, drawings and filters to their photos and videos (also known as “snaps”). Unlike other messaging apps, you can only view snaps for a maximum of 10 seconds, and then they are gone for good.   WHAT YOU NEED ...

Caramelized onions and mushrooms used to be the gourmet options available but even those are ordinary by today’s standards and expectations. Restaurant operators are getting creative with toppings, from jams to pickles. Topping Tips • Avocado, whether on its own or in guacamole form, is a popular choice. It offers some healthy fat too, so that’s a bonus for those ...

Restaurants can differentiate themselves and their menu offerings with a variety of quality and unique condiments. Ketchup, mustard and mayo have long been standard fare to enhance burgers, but these condiments are getting a makeover with new flavor profiles. Take ketchup for example: this staple has been updated with unusual twists, such as smoky and spicy. It doesn’t even have ...

Beef is still a go-to option when it comes to burgers and with the better burger movement, there are plenty of premium options. Today’s consumer is highly educated and conscious about the quality and origin of their beef so it will be important to differentiate the type of meat you’re using on your menu. Beef is graded in two ways: ...