The spring and summer seasons evoke flavors like fresh basil, juicy strawberries and peaches, and sweet corn. Is your mouth watering yet? Good! That means you're ready for the new Spring and Summer 2013 sample dining menu that we're rolling out at our Sunrise Senior Living communities at the end of March.
We've included dishes that rely heavily on seasonal ingredients, which means each of our residents has ample opportunity to enjoy the beloved tastes of spring and summer. Of course, no spring or summer menu is complete without other warm-weather favorites, such as barbecue and seafood.
How are we incorporating these popular foods into our new menu? We will be offering main courses like Shrimp Scampi with Lemon-Butter Broccoli, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Pesto Chicken Spinach Pizza. Of course we'll have Seafood Chowder and plenty of refreshing seasonal salads, topped with fresh tomatoes, grilled peaches and raisins. For breakfast, we're serving up special meals like Blueberry Pancakes and Vegetable Omelets. And, of course – we're saving the best for last! Desserts will highlight some of the best flavors of the season - peach pie, angel food cake topped with fresh berries, strawberry shortcake and blueberry cake - just to name a few.
Why does seasonal produce matter? Well, first and foremost, vegetables and fruits taste best in-season! Unlike frozen foods, seasonal fruits and veggies should always be served shortly after they've been harvested, which guarantees full flavor, and optimum nutrition. Frozen veggies, though harvested at the peak of their nutritional value, lose some of these qualities each time they thaw. When shipped across the country, the number of times these fruits and veggies thaw and freeze again is nearly impossible to estimate.
Plus, using seasonal ingredients allows us to buy locally - a great way to support our local economies and do our part for the environment. The closer the food's origins, the less energy used to get it from the farm to our kitchens! Now that's food for thought!
Learn more about Sunrise's dining program.