Spreads: get to know them better to appreciate them even more
Looking for a quick appetizer or a delicious, effortless meal? Spreads and dips are the answer! From meltingly tender rillettes and fragrant tapenades to creamy vegetable spreads, you’re sure to find something you love. Meat, fish, or plant-based alternatives – there’s something for everyone.
Save time while enjoying delicious food: discover why these little wonders should absolutely be a part of your daily life!
Spreadable Dips and Spreads: What are they?
Spreadable dips and spreads are preparations that are spread on bread, toast, crackers, or other food bases. Their creamy and slightly granular texture makes them easy to spread and pleasant to eat.
There is a wide variety of spreads and dips, suitable for all tastes and diets. In Belgium, they are found in the form of pâtés, rillettes, and other spreadable preparations, which are often adapted into local specialties. These include:
- Meat-based preparations: American fillet (a type of spicy beef tartare), artisanal pâtés, and certain rillettes are popular, especially in French-speaking regions.
- Fish-based spreads: tarama, salmon or tuna rillettes also have their place as an appetizer.
- Spreadable cheeses: in Belgium, there is a strong tradition of creamy spreadable cheeses, such as Herve cheese or specialties with herbs.
- Plant-based options: increasingly, Belgians are turning to plant-based alternatives such as hummus, tapenades, or spreads made from vegetables and seeds.
A brief historical overview
Did you know that the first spreads and dips date back to antiquity? That’s right, our ancestors already understood the importance of good bread accompanied by a tasty spread!
Food lovers have long enjoyed spreads in the form of purées, pastes, or preparations made with meat, fish, or vegetables. In ancient Greece and Rome, they consumed pastes made from crushed olives, garlic, and herbs, which are the ancestors of Provençal tapenade. For the more carnivorous, there was garum, a fermented fish sauce used to enhance creamy dishes.
In the Mediterranean basin, the Egyptians and Persians had nothing to envy the Europeans, as they too delighted in delicious purées of chickpeas and sesame seeds. As you may have guessed, this is the ancestor of the popular hummus.
Then, in the Middle Ages, a new turning point: meats were then preserved and stored in their own fat. And thus, rillettes were born, dishes reserved for the bourgeoisie and aristocrats.
In short, each culture has developed its own recipes and traditions, some of which still endure today.
Where can you find spreads?
If you’re a fan of DIY, a multitude of gourmet recipes await you online. Websites like Le Journal des Femmes offer recipes to make yourself, with fresh and customizable ingredients. Homemade has its advantages: you control the composition, the quantities, and can adapt each recipe to your desires (and your diet, if needed!).
But let’s be honest, with our current lifestyles, not everyone always has the time to prepare their own spreads. Fortunately, there are ready-made alternatives that are just as tasty. They can easily be found in delicatessens, organic food stores, or local shops. Furthermore, high-quality rillettes and other spreads are gaining ground in supermarkets. This is particularly the case for August&Henri products, now well-established on hypermarket shelves.
Finally, for those who prefer to order online, several specialized websites offer a wide selection of flavors. In other words, no matter your cravings, you’ll always find something to enjoy. And if you’re still hesitant to embark on the culinary adventure of rillettes, the following paragraph should convince you.
Some benefits of using spreads in cooking
These specialties have become staples in our kitchens. Easy to use, delicious, and versatile, they’re perfect for appetizers as well as main courses. Here are some good reasons to incorporate them into your daily cooking.
You save time
One of the main advantages of spreads is how quick and easy they are to use. Because they are ready to eat, they allow you to prepare an appetizer or a meal in no time. No more spending hours in the kitchen preparing complex recipes: simply open a jar, spread, and enjoy!
You can try many different flavors
The great thing about these creamy spreads is that there’s something for everyone. From classic recipes to more daring creations, you can explore different taste trends. Tapenade, hummus, rillettes, or vegetable spreads – there’s no shortage of choices.
Elevate your dishes like a professional chef
Yes (and thankfully!), spreads aren’t just for toast. You can use them in countless ways: as a sauce to accompany pasta, as a filling for sandwiches, or even as a marinade base to enhance meats and fish. This way, you can vary your culinary pleasures while adding a gourmet touch to your dishes.
Create delicious appetizers
Unexpected guests? No problem: spreads are perfect for a quick and delicious appetizer. Serve them with crackers, toasted bread, or crunchy vegetables, and delight your guests!
Eat a balanced diet
You may not know it, but spreads are your nutritional allies. Incorporating them into your diet is an excellent way to consume more vegetables, protein, or healthy fatty acids. In short, you can indulge while taking care of your health.
Avoid food waste
We all know that slightly dry slice of bread that’s been sitting around… With a good rillette, it gets a second life. The same trick works with leftover plain pasta or those few vegetables lingering in the fridge. Combining ecology and culinary pleasure becomes child’s play…
Visit our online store to discover all our August&Henri spreads, which will delight young and old alike. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information, whether you are an individual or a catering professional.
