Why are Americans eating spicier food?
If you’re in the Midwest – where the only thing burning your tongue is a sip of steaming black coffee from the office break room or the church basement – then you’re probably saying to yourself, “Because food couldn’t possibly get any less spicy”.
That may be true, but the reasons we are demanding spicier food stems from many factors such as demographic changes with more Asian and Latino immigrants, who are not only demanding spicier food options in the country, but are also providing more diverse eating options for other Americans.
Younger Americans have embraced these changes as they are traveling more, especially to Asia and Latin American countries, where they are exposed to a broader range of flavors, which they want to continue to experience when they return home – whether it is eating out, or cooking more exotic meals in their kitchen.
But this trend towards spicier foods has even bit the stubborn taste buds of baby boomers. As people age, their sense of smell and taste can begin to deteriorate (hyposmia & hypogeusia), so to compensate, people generally dash on more salt and sugar*. But this combo can lead to high blood pressure and diabetes, which people are much more aware of now. Therefore, baby boomers are looking for healthier alternatives, and finding that spices & herbs are the answer.
Instead of adding in more sugar, sprinkle in some cinnamon, allspice, or nutmeg. And instead of additional salt, try a spice with the tongue-tingling compound of capsaicin, which can be found in cayenne pepper or hot red chili flakes.
Or in a spicy chipotle powder, which is easy to incorporate into lunch like I did in this Roasted Salmon Sandwich with Chipotle Mayo.
Chipotle powder can give a much needed kick to any familiar lunch sandwich. Just add the spice into a mix of mayo, yogurt, honey, and garlic, and you have a spicy, sweet, rich spread that goes especially well on a slice of dark rye bread like pumpernickel, topped with roasted salmon, avocado, red onion and lettuce.
Taking a bite of this Roasted Salmon Sandwich with Chipotle Mayo just might give you the definitive answer to why Americans are eating more spicy foods – because it’s so addicting!
* per Dr. Joseph Sirven of the Mayo Clinic
Roasted Salmon Sandwich with Chipotle Mayo
Makes 2 sandwiches
Ingredients:
1/2 lb salmon fillet
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh lemon juice
1 avocado - sliced
Handful of arugula leaves or your choice of leafy greens
Slices of red onion 4 slices of your choice of sandwich bread (try a dark rye for this recipe)
Chipotle Mayo:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 large garlic clove – minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1/4 tsp of Season with Spice's Ground Chipotle, or to taste
1 tsp honey
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Line a baking pan with foil. Coat salmon fillet with a drizzle of olive oil, and place it on the foil. Season the salmon with salt, freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until just cooked through (roasting time will depend on the thickness of the fillet).
3. While the salmon is roasting, combine all the ingredients for the chipotle mayo in a bowl.
4. Once salmon is cooked. Remove from oven and flake the cooked salmon with a fork into small pieces. Add the salmon into the bowl of chipotle mayo, and mix well.
5. To assemble the sandwich, add the chipotle mayo salmon first, then top with red onion, avocado, and arugula. Enjoy!
Makes 2 sandwiches
Ingredients:
1/2 lb salmon fillet
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh lemon juice
1 avocado - sliced
Handful of arugula leaves or your choice of leafy greens
Slices of red onion 4 slices of your choice of sandwich bread (try a dark rye for this recipe)
Chipotle Mayo:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 large garlic clove – minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1/4 tsp of Season with Spice's Ground Chipotle, or to taste
1 tsp honey
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Line a baking pan with foil. Coat salmon fillet with a drizzle of olive oil, and place it on the foil. Season the salmon with salt, freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until just cooked through (roasting time will depend on the thickness of the fillet).
3. While the salmon is roasting, combine all the ingredients for the chipotle mayo in a bowl.
4. Once salmon is cooked. Remove from oven and flake the cooked salmon with a fork into small pieces. Add the salmon into the bowl of chipotle mayo, and mix well.
5. To assemble the sandwich, add the chipotle mayo salmon first, then top with red onion, avocado, and arugula. Enjoy!
