ChefTalk Cooking Forums » Professional Food Service Forums » Professional Chefs Forum » How do I make healthy food happening??\

Professional Chefs Forum Discuss with other professional chefs the latest trends, kitchen and employee issues and more.


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 08-27-2007, 09:54 AM
SlateEyedChef's Avatar
SlateEyedChef Offline
Registered User
Culinary Experience: Culinary Student
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: New Haven, Ct
Posts: 5
Default How do I make healthy food happening??\

I am having trouble with my healthy food selection in my resturant, I currently have grilled chicken breast and grilled lemon pepper salmon which are both served with grilled veggies that haave been marinated in EVOO, white wine, s&p, and alot of great herbs.....But no one bites. What can i do to spice up the menu.....oh and by the way for all who read plz note that i have no holding space, a "ripleys believe it or not small kitchen" and the pickest GM ever. Thanks
__________________
*The Infamous*
Reply With Quote


  #2  
Old 08-27-2007, 10:49 AM
Psycho Chef's Avatar
Psycho Chef Offline
Registered User
Culinary Experience: Professional Chef
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: N.Y.C.
Posts: 148
Cool

I just did a tuna tartare which is practically fat free, and a gazpacho which is totally fat free. Both tasted better than all the rich fattening stuff we serve....ditch the lemon pepper, that's why they don't order it. Vinegars are limitless in variety and offer really tasty, healthy sauce options. PM me for some recipes or to b.s. on the matter further..

Chef B
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-27-2007, 12:31 PM
RAS1187's Avatar
RAS1187 Offline
Registered User
Culinary Experience: Line Cook
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 588
Default

The salmon might have too much going on it for its own good. I like my salmon either grilled or seared with just some s&p, the marinade you could probably skip. Team this with some fresh grilled asparagus, either a balsamic reduction or a roasted pepper coulis, and some rice or cous cous, and you have very appealing healthy dish.

As mentioned before, vinegars are endless in variety. Sample different types and decide which ones work for the dishes you are going to cook.

Using pureed veggies in sauces adds some nice bold flavor (especially if theyre roasted) and also acts as a thickener.

Customers like things that are grilled, and grilling is a relatively healthy cooking method.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-27-2007, 12:49 PM
Peachcreek's Avatar
Peachcreek Offline
Registered User
Culinary Experience: Restaurant Manager
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Back at work
Posts: 848
Default

My menu is at least 40% vegetarian and a portion of that is strict vegan, and I'm not even a vegetarian restaurant. I just look at things differently. My vegetarian or vegan or low-fat or low sodium menu items never meant to have those ingredients in them anyway, so people who aren't thinking about the health conscious factor will try it because it sounds good or intriguing. I run away from any type of label like 'vegetarian" "healthy blah blah" or "spa" or any connotation like that. I'd rather have everything sound wonderful and tasty and if someone comes in and asks for a special needs entree the server can point out that item to the customer.
HTH
__________________
What a relief! To find out after all these years that I'm not crazy. I'm just culinarily divergent...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-27-2007, 12:57 PM
OregonYeti's Avatar
OregonYeti Offline
ChefTalk Supporter
Culinary Experience: Other
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,596
Default

When I want healthy food at a restaurant, some of my favorites:

Tandoori chicken

kabobs

flat breads (hot from the oven would be great)

thick fries cooked in olive oil (not low fat, true, but delicious)

falaffel

fruit-marinated or fruit-stuffed poultry

fish with mango salsa or other salsa

roasted garlic cloves

I'm not a chef and I hope I'm not intruding.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-27-2007, 01:02 PM
foodpump Offline
Registered User
Culinary Experience: Professional Chef
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1,529
Default

If it's "healthy" i.e. low in fat, you could try a paillard. This is basically a steak pounded very thin, a'la Schnitzel, but no breading or anything. Then, just brush lightly with EVOO and grill, takes only a few minutes. This goes great with a salad, fresh fruit, fresh raw veggies, etc. Don't stop at beef steaks, you can use pork, turkey, chicken.

That all being said it'll only take off if it meshes well with your customers. Who are thye? What do they like? How much do they want to spend? And, mot importantly is the healthy part of the menu really part of the menu or is it the GM's idea?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Healthy food on a budget Luc_H Food & Cooking Questions and Discussion 10 07-10-2008 11:07 AM
The Movie The Happening Quinn01 The Late Night Cafe (non-food/cooking discussion) 10 06-28-2008 12:43 AM
using what you've got to make different food shroomgirl Professional Catering Forum 27 10-15-2007 07:02 AM
Homemade Baby Food: A Fresh Start to Healthy Eating ChefTalk.com Food & Cooking Questions and Discussion 6 10-08-2007 02:58 PM
healthy fast food..... shroomgirl Open Forum With Rick Bayless 1 01-14-2006 01:30 PM