LYRA MAG.

THE HYBRIDS= fusion of two fav eats  Croissant Muffins (cruffin?)...buttery flaky + texture of a muffin by C'est Gourmet How smart is this -already a summer camp staple- Stuffed Puffs® (aka marshmallows) filled with chocolate-makes s'mores time a two ingredient treat...ensuring the proper marshmallow roast-chocolate melt timing=perfection. Simple idea maybe-but the manufacturing is key. Available now at WALMARTS $3.98 Doughnut cookies-from Winston-Salem, NC's   Dewey's Bakery  known for their delicious Moravian cookies-showed off some new items in The Doughnut Shop line. Inspired by the bakery's 1930 doughnut recipe-the soft cookie-tiny cake -merge...in -of course -iconic doughnut flavors-Old Fashioned Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Apple Fritter...and Cinnamon Bun- are available online (originally a QVC exclusive). The Cauliflower fusion love fest continues-from riced , pizza crust to pasta .  A bestselling item at Trader Joes...Cauliflower G...

F or a crowd of humans forth coming...game day cooking-and Year of the Pig feasts can be fuss free-using ready made soups-and adding a few ingredients. Start with a high quality ones (OF COURSE). From Original Soupman (yup-that Seinfeld classic)...fav Lobster Bisque is a flavorful, filling perfection of a creamy soup base, spices and chunky tender hunts of lobster. To eat on its own-the Lobster Bisque is addictive awesome. Plus this best seller can be a hearty base for a whole pot of... added shelled shellfish-lobster hunks, crab meat and/or shrimp bits, sautéed onions/celery-till translucent -for added crunch, served with hunks of breads, crackers (try these creative crunches) ...or mixed in with some cooked rice. FYI: A timely 20% discount NOW AVAILABLE on online orders...delivered in handy 6 pack-12 oz sizes, And other tasty recipes =practically insta-gourmand. via GIPHY For Chinese Lunar New Year-and tail gating liquid warmth-a solid veggie or chicken broth ( Pa...

Maybe it was the perfect night (freezing damp cold) to embrace the buzzy charms and delicious BISTRO MODERNE cuisine of UES (NYC) restaurant staple Demarchelier -for the first time... But afterwards...we wondered why this ideally located gem- a few blocks from Manhattan's 'Museum Mile' (and mass transit) wasn't  a regular dining destination...as it clearly was for the patrons partaking the recent Tuesday evening we went.

Personal wellsprings of self care are popping up  -for populations focusing on a life lived, well . Subjectively interpreted of course. 21st century attributes and expectations- in a connected world constantly measured/monitored by metrics...often needs  to also include just how to slow down and enjoy the moment, no numerical feedback required. Part One: WELCOME: A VIP Movie Going Leisure pursuits outside of the home are in competition with...screen time inside...like Netflix and video games. Hence the re-think of  cinema experiences...which we got to check out recently in the Big Apple, at the latest CMX cinemas venue-CMX CinéBistro. Manhattan, and NYC in general does not lack for fun pursuits-day or night...so any new venture better deliver unique options to succeed. Question-therefore...does this outlet-one of 37 dine-in movie theaters-accomplish its 'mission'? Answer -yes, PLUS a perfect date night destination, escape from a winter hibernation, an...

Pale or bold, shades of yellow are back into year round everyday...stuff. Home and restaurant decor... San Fran does not lack for fab places to eat-but Brazilian street food leaning Café De Casa -has a perpetually popular branch a mere five minutes walk from tourist packed Fisherman's Wharf...that's a brunch destination, for a reason. Bonus points-the laid back atmosphere, excellent strong coffee, and cooked to order crepes (so relax). Bright retro plates-a warm egg yolk yellow-ideal backdrop for food that is home made, fresh and delish/delight ... outerwear (we predict), footwear -beyond the darker tones...and as mainstreamers all NOW should know- courtesy of The Devil Wears Prada/ Yves Klein 'Blue' lecture... via GIPHY it probably all started with fashion (not Pantone)...with inspirations from Vincent Van Gogh's glorious sunflowers. Porsche 911 GT3 RS...bright yellow-debuted at NY Auto Show last spring. No worries-already sold out...! Marcel O...

Plant based treats-as snacks or entrees- are leaving the fringe of food aisles... finding favor beyond its prior niche eaters' status. Recent Tries... LOVELOVE Edibles- plant based cakes-made to order- are gluten, soy, refined sugar, agave and egg free...and are moist chewy bites of raw ingredients. Cakes are pictured above...and the equally tasty cacao +maca energy bitez with hints of vanilla, black pepper+ salt-sweetened up with coconut nectar -are equally good. 

Better for you -no cook -snacks and non-meat and vegan protein ...latest trends in foods are tasty, too! Peeled boiled eggs are a protein loaded 'thing' now! Sauder's versions are amped with beet goodness-in 2 and 6 packs. Another trend -hidden veggies -don't get much tastier than these dessert worthy Garden Lites in chocolate. In the freezer section at stores fyi...but stash them in kid's lunch boxes-and by the time they eat them-most chewy and ready! Delicious -we kept a box in the fridge. Six flavors available-options all tasty-include dairy, soy, peanut, tree nut+gluten free. Around 100-120 calories per...with real deal iron, potassium and calcium too. The chocolate- what we tried...has zucchini + carrots as the first two ingredients. IMPRESSIVE. Microwave them for few seconds...for  even more of a moist chewy texture.  Plant protein is more mainstream these days-out of the niche vegan category and part of a lot of everyday meals+snacks. G...

Nah...it was really the Fancy Food Show-but there were enough screens-massive and minute-live broadcasting the World Cup-it was also an ideal viewing setting-complete with a huge international turn-out-cheering on the drama... Some new trends we expect to see more of NEXT YEAR! ANY FOODS FROM ICELAND!!!! Nói Síríus   Icelandic Chocolate -from the new 'it' tourist destination and soccer powerhouse. SMOKED! there's plenty of  SMOKED  BBQ sauces, chips, and spice blends out there-but we're seeing that earthy flavor pop up in other edible spots... Minerva Smoked Amish Roll Butter SMOKED Sea Salt -by Maldon FIGS as feast we wrote up the USA based award winning Date Lady dessert sauces from last year's shows...now Figs taking center stage - Hellenic Fig Salamis .  NOTE-dried pressed figs/dates with almonds or chocolate - already a Spanish/Greek/Mediterranean staple-widely available here- already in round wheel shapes (whole/half/...

In the past-NYC's 'it' steak restaurants catered to power players - wearing power suits - surrounded by power dark wood panels- located ( mostly ) in power zipcodes. To start ...  power drinks or bottles power label wines or power scotches, followed by power (humongous) portions for power appetites... Yada yada yada. Now-preferred steakhouse dining- is lower key- welcoming-in  local spots. Lighter interiors   comfortably seat  whatever attired eaters - often with kids in tow- at earlier hours.  Food wise- a broader range of menu printed options including iconic crowd-pleasers -  satiably satisfying tastebuds craving both the namesake familiar (well rendered)- to more global (fusion) selections. picture-by TBSL Paleo please??? Today's diverse diets+eating 'rituals' from functional healthy free of   fare- to shareable portions for  hungry nibblers and grazing snackers who skip the traditional 2-3 course meal...are a dining ...

SPICE ISLANDS COOK-OUT -A  CULINARY  CLASS Tastebuds Kitchen , a spacious ( very -by NYC standards) -restaurant worthy event space/school- was SRO packed---by the cooking inclined last week. Homemade-blend your own India spice Garam Masala w/ 11 SPICE ISLANDS-or buy ready version Savory samples of appetizers- entrees-desserts- enhanced with a few- deeply flavorful and fresh SPICE ISLANDS spices-are mouthfuls of world global cuisines made with simple, quality ingredients livened up authentic flavors from far flung locales. POPULAR!

La Tourangelle ARTISAN OILS new Asian Oil Trio via GIPHY A new moon always greets Chinese New Year-and this go round-celebrating the Earth Dog.  Another reason to gather- and celebrate all things Asian---  binge watching  the fun South Korean Olympics=happy occasions.  beautifully packaged-just tie a ribbon on The perfect host gift for enthusiastic home chefs-or an easy way FOR YOU to speed dial the subtle to boldly fiery flavors of the cuisines from that part of the planet are the deliciously fresh, aromatic Asian Inspiration  trio  of 3 infused oils ($16.97) by the premier now California based oil mill -aka masters of,,.La Tourangelle.

Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo Shares His Exclusive Holiday Recipes From  Il Gattopardo and The Leopard at des Artistes FINALLY---t wo recipes for hearty and flavorful dishes from two of our favorite restaurants...   The Leopard at des Artistes ’  Christmas Salad Of Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, And Octopus In A Fresh Lemon Dressing  and Il Gattopardo’s  Artisanal Lobster Raviol i -  that add Italian flavors to holiday feasts. AND will dazzle the tastebuds of guests-as well as leave time to enjoy their bon mots too! Courtesy of Leopard at des Artistes' Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo...who conjured up probably one of the best meals we have ever eaten anywhere. ( Review )

As 'meals' or snacks-portioned and larger sizes of these new products are food trenders all-healthier eats, simpler ingredients, or indulgent sweets in smaller portions . via GIPHY Conveniently packaged in 3s- shelf stable Miche's Kitchen cookies -are tasty chewy sweets-made from a sprouted organic flour blend-organic  oat, garbanzo, sunflower seeds in the mix- a starting block for these better for you cookies. Vegan, gluten free-and free of major allergens- the REALLY kid friendly flavors (100 calories per cookie) of chocolate chip, coconut lime, gingerful, and green sugar are all delicious...worthy of a dunking in any beverage of choice. GoGoSqueez-these products-have got to be one of the most popular snack purchases for Generation Z on down now-but we think-adult sized endurance athletes and hikers-will equally find favor with any of the 14 flavors of- on the go applesauces, or our preferred bunch-one of the 7 types that are  USDA Organic. Smartly(FUN TOO)...

Healthy seafood,  the real deal kind, not farmed or GMO scientifically rendered (available now in Canada) is a super healthy protein, gluten free- and heart/brain musts-EPA and DHA) Omega 3. An athlete essential...fish is quickly becoming the preferred protein source world wide. But tasty choices, wild caught, sustainably sourced -from a shelf stable cans or pouches-  that tastes like fresh as fresh ? via GIPHY Icon -and television's first celebrity chef- Julia Child...loved her tuna fresh too! source: televisionwithoutpity.com Surprise= Wild Planet -a brand that is widely available (including direct )-not only changed-as in elevated our taste buds expectations-vis à vis what a can of wild, skinless/boneless salmon or crowd fav albacore tuna- should taste like-we felt like ditching the 'canned' moniker-of everything we tried- as all products tasted are as tender flaky, chew-textured perfect...as if sourced straight off the fishing boats. Upshot: Forever change...

Dressed Up Burgers, Scrumptious Crunchy Salads, Sophisticated Salty+Spicy Seasonings=Tempting  Takes on Ballpark Staples to eat at home. via GIPHY California based,  Cypress Grove 's soft-ripened -Humboldt Fog jettisoned American gourmet cheeses from insular cult fav to mass adoration, as THE ORIGINAL AMERICAN® imo . Cheese burgers-or grilled cheese PLEASE...ditch the processed bleh for melted nirvana via TRUFFLE TREMOR- a creamy luscious soft-ripened goat cheese enhanced with the aromatic earthiness of black truffles. A fav of ours (outta, like 3000+ selections)- from most recent Fancy Food Show-sold in wheel and mini sizes & widely available-including  company website w/ flat rate shipping $. Corn on the cob companion, Kaiser roll/bread enhancer, or a rich full flavored BBQ enabler to grilled meats-fish-vegetables ...real deal Smoked Maplewood Amish Roll Butter by family owned Minerva Dairy may just steal THAT finger lickin' good ad slogan from...