Aprons and moonshine

Men in aprons and moonshine are part of the food trends and foods to watch in 2011, according to The Food Channel.

“The new economy has created a boldness and willingness to change how we work, how we cook and how we eat. All of our 2011 trends reflect that in some way," Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel, said of the 2011 food trends. "One example is Baby Boomers wanting to age well. Trend #10 explains they are eating for better sex, more energy and the ability to work longer."

The Food Channel Top 10 Trends for 2011 are (from 1 to 10):
• The Canning Comeback – "Putting Up" is gaining popularity for both economy and health;
• Men in Aprons – Layoffs have led to more men cooking;
• Local Somewhere – We care about hand-tended no matter where it’s grown;
• Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – We’re tired of being told what we can eat;
• Appetite for Food Apps – Social media is our guide and our coupon source;
• Small is the New Big Business – Corporations are thinking like small businesses;
• Fresh Every Day – Rooftop gardens are just part of this trend;
• Chefs in Schools – Better flavor is possible in an institutional setting;
• Discomfort Foods – Change makes us comfortable with more change; and,
• Eating for Sex and Other Things – We are working longer, and want all the gusto.

The Food Channel Top 10 Foods to Watch for 2011 (from 1 to 10).
• Small Pies
Pie, of course, has been around forever, but 2011 could be the Year of the Pie. Some are already calling it the “next cupcake.” We say, yes, pies will be hot in the coming year, but look for smaller pies to make it big—in both sweet and savory varieties.

• Sausage
Look for a leaner, better quality sausage, sourced locally at farmers markets, to take on the role as the “new bacon.” Home butchery and the charcuterie trend that has led to renewed interest in cured meats are additional factors here as well.

• Nutmeg
Researchers have discovered that nutmeg’s reputation as an aphrodisiac — especially for women — has some merit. Need we say more?

• Moonshine
Moonshine has gone legit. Tennessee’s first legal moonshine distillery opened this summer, and the clear corn whiskey hootch can now be found in many liquor stores and even purchased online. It still packs a wallop.

• Gourmet Ice Pops
Ice pops in exotic flavors like bacon, mango chile, and peanut butter are the latest to get the artisanal treatment. They’re known as paletas in Mexico. Watch for them to go mainstream north of the border in 2011.

• Grits
Could this old southern favorite become the “new grain”? We see it moving beyond the breakfast menu and above the Mason-Dixon Line.

• Sweet Potatoes
These super-nutritious tubers will be orange-hot in 2011. They’ll be especially molten as the alternative, better-for-you french fry.

• Fin fish
We are still discovering so much about the benefits of fish. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that we found out about Omega 3’s, and we know that obtaining these nutrients directly from food is the best way to get them into our system. We’re banking on more acceptance of farmed fish as it becomes more important to have a good supply of this lean protein.

• Cupuaçu fruit
This is quite possibly the next superfruit, following in the footsteps of the acai fruit. Both are from the Brazilian rainforest. Cupuaçu has a number of antioxidants and minerals, and is considered a natural source of energy. We tasted it in a Brazilian candy that had us craving more. Speaking of candy, you might also watch for Brigadeiro. This sweet Brazilian candy is made by mixing sweetened condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder. It’s usually rolled into a ball and coated in granulated sugar, but it can also take on other flavors. It’s the national truffle of Brazil. Look for it to come to our shores in 2011.

• Beans
The lowly legume will step up to the spotlight in 2011, as a great source of protein and a versatile ingredient in appetizers like white bean & rosemary bruschetta. And, yes, it’s still awesome in chili.