Fusion foods have been all the rage in recent years. This catch-all term, which reflects our increasingly globalized world, simply means a recipe or dish that merges ingredients from diverse cultures. A classic fusion dish is the Bánh Mi Sandwich, which merges Vietnamese and French recipes. Examples of fusion food trends can be basic, like taco pizza, sushi burritos, or Mexican lasagna. On the flip side, these dishes can lean towards the more sophisticated side of cross-cultural cuisine with dishes like Asian egg crepes or curry risotto. While the idea of trying to merge flavors from distinct backgrounds to produce new culinary creations may sound difficult, it doesn’t have to be. To ease the operational burden, take a simple meal such as a bowl, and mix components from various cultures to create a satisfying new recipe. Try whipping up an Asian-inspired fusion bowl by adding in speed-scratch Idahoan® potatoes for the base rather than white rice. Top with on-hand protein and vegetables – then marry all of the ingredients by adding in a barbecue-style teriyaki sauce and garnishes like cilantro and sesame seeds. The result? A balanced, healthy, and unique dish that merges flavors from across the globe while utilizing on-hand ingredients and minimizing the burden on back-of-house staff. With a simple and versatile base like potatoes, there are endless options for merging unique tastes. Add in elements of curry, wasabi, furikake – or substitute traditional carbohydrate bases for Fresh-Dried™ Idahoan potatoes to make sushi, bowls, salads, soups, and more. Idahoan potatoes are easy to prepare and come in a variety of formats – from mashed potatoes and flakes, to shreds and slices – leaving operators with more time to execute fresh ideas in the kitchen. Any way you use them, starting with simple bases like Fresh-Dried™ potatoes is the solution to delivering the fusion flavors that guests are craving. To find more inspiration on how to use Idahoan potatoes for exciting fusion foods, visit idahaonfoodservice.com/recipes.