No, not the latest fashion statement but black colored foods that are now tres chic. It has become such a craze that Haagen-Dazs now has a "black sesame" ice cream flavor. It started in Asian countries, like China and Japan, where dark foods have long been part of their diets - black skinned Silkie chickens, Forbidden Black Rice, black vinegar drinks and black soy milk. The trend now has entered the kitchens of U.S. chefs, not only for their deep flavors, but also for how cool they look on a plate.
The chefs at David Burke & Donatella in New York City now serve black chicken with black rice. At the Lonesome Dove Bistro in Fort Worth, Texas fig and black-lime margaritas are served and salmon is accompanied by puree of black trumpet mushrooms. Arrows Restaurant in Maine is now serving black carrots that they began growing in their gardens.
According to a recent Rachel Ray TV Show segment, black foods are full of antioxidants, good for your kidneys and help protect us against aging, cancer and heart disease. So, maybe it's time to switch to the dark side.
By: Aimet Arill, KWE Group
