Smoked turkey salad folded in a southwestern remoulade with peppers, grilled onions and chipotle chiles. Served with tortilla chips and salsa cruda. If you’re thinking it’s a dish being whipped up on your favorite “Food Network” show, think again. Believe it or not, it is actually an in-flight meal choice on Milwaukee based “Midwest Express Airlines.”
The airline recently began a new program called, “Best Care Cuisine” and I thought it fitting to profile it as a follow-up to my blog: “No Such Thing as a Free Ride or Free Pretzels,” which dealt with the way many major airlines were cutting back or charging passengers for amenities, such as in-flight meals. Now, along comes “Midwest’s” new in-flight meal purchasing program (offered to all passengers) that does away with the standard boxed snack items.
The airline has partnered with one of Milwaukee’s finest restaurants, Mader’s, to revamp its onboard menu to include hot entrees. (I live near Milwaukee and have visited this restaurant, so imagine my surprise when I heard its award-winning executive chef agreed to design airline meals) Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options range from $5-$10 and are described as having “an appetizing blend of fresh ingredients and flavors that incorporate Asian, Southwestern, South American and European influences.”
Here are some of the items featured on their in-flight menu:
Portabella and Seared Pork Panini with roasted tri-colored peppers in a chimichurri sauce. Paired with creamy asparagus soup with toasted almonds. Served with fresh fruit.
Fusilli Pasta with Seafood Mornay. Shrimp, scallops and lobster sautéed with lemon butter and thyme simmered in a light Mornay sauce and fusilli pasta. Served with asparagus, baby greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette, roll and butter.
Blueberry Pancakes with cinnamon honey butter and maple syrup. Served with sausage patties and fresh fruit and yogurt.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with marinated tomato, fresh mozzarella, and a balsamic vinegar and basil emulsion. Served over romaine lettuce with garlic croutons and a side of fresh fruit.
The meals are optional and you can still decide to bring your own food onboard. But considering other airlines are asking $5-$8 for boxed meals featuring cold sandwiches and chips, “Midwest’s” pork panini sounds like a pretty tasty deal.