LYRA MAG.

At the recent Fancy Food Show-the popularity of global cuisines and far flung flavors- continues . Notable=Mid East+ African staples-spices-favors go mainstream with eye catching packaging... Some Tasty examples: Ready To Eat: Fabalish made a splash at last year's show with their deft use of cooked chickpea water-(Aquafaba-a dairy/egg replacer fyi) in their versatile sauces. Heat and serve-rte Baked Falafels...spare us the extra calories of fried versions-with these. KID SNACK ALERT - pop in a toaster oven/microwave for fast easy treat. Like Couscous... (or Quinoa) YOLÉLÉ FONIO -aka 'the ancient grain' is naturally gluten free and cooks up fast like couscous +can be used in recipes-similarly. A drought resitant crop-grown by rural farmers in Western Africa.. is naturally blessed with protein, fiber and iron. WIN WIN WIN WIN Available-Whole Foods, Thrive, Amazon... Yolélé  co-founded by  Chef Pierre Thiam New York Shuk spice blend offer...

Ancestral inspirations and distant islands/continents...turned up in new ways at the latest Fancy Food Show...with African, Haitian, and Australian spices livening up foodie goodies. Highlights... Departure Snacks -travels for you, no security checks-needed, tastes wise-with far flung locales-thematically adding flavors to dry roasted almonds. Pictured-Ethiopian Berbere-with smoked paprika, mild chilies, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and imo the new 'it' spice-cardamon=fragrant spice hits. Non-GMO, gluten free +vegan. 210 calories/pack.

Savory spices-from distinctive fiery to sweet n' tangy-flavor BBQ sauces and the latest  popular crunchy snacks. via GIPHY New-Top Picks To Fire Up Palates:

(it's almost- or already there. ..) New Products That Help Celebrate Snowmelts, Uncovered Grills,  Aromatic BBQ Al Fresco, and Backyard Fun... Part 1: The Eats via GIPHY Upgraded Condiments: FYI -fair warning-one tablespoon of ANY Traina ketchup -rich savory offerings -courtesy of 3lbs of tomatoes-in each bottle (!!!!)-will have you ditch those mass market-  really red  bottles-straight into recycling. It's almost like a re-invented condiment staple.

Specialty Food Show 2017 Tempting Dessert Toppings-featuring rich caramel always a fav...spoon worthy good enough to eat solo...plus fun sweet bubbles-a take on the Taiwan Bubble Tea craze that's gone global. via GIPHY Robert Rothschild Farms popular dessert toppings have a new flavor- Caramel Nocino -caramel-vanilla sugary nutty addition  DATE LADY USDA ORGANIC, gluten-free and Kosher- Date Caramel Sauce- SOFI winner worthy of ice cream, cheesecake and as a crisp cut able dip-bade from real deal cream, their award winning date syrup...with aromatic vanilla and touch of sea salt. Vermont based FAT TOAD FARM-SOfi Winner-Traditional Goat Milk Caramel-uses traditional methods to churn out many velvety, creamy caramel products-in partnership with Vermont Creamery...a local source for its subtle tangy goat milk flavor. New: Bourbon Barrel Aged Hard Cider Caramel -a collab with Stowe Cider-not too sweet smooth addition to a winning line-up of dessert toppings. ...

Fancy Food Show 2017  Part One NEW Scrumptious flavors of classic sauces/marinades- liven up entrees, pastas and appetizers without the fuss/hassle-using family (mom's) recipes. via GIPHY source food-gifs.com Noted: Family owned, tasty global inspirations, 'clean' ingredients-are specialty food trends -  embraced by smaller companies where the owners are happy to  dish out their own creations...AND have put the big companies on notice-attracting infusions of cash or outright offers to buy. Top Picks: Why bother buying all those ingredients to make pesto from a homemade recipe-when NJ based R A NDAZZO; s Pesto Sauces-including delicious, versatile Kale Pesto, pictured above- made without added sugar or preservatives and containing real deal 100% extra virgin olive oil -not a cheaper oil blends of similarly priced other brands ($5.99) and Pecorino Romano cheese...makes it 'honest to goodness sauces' just like you (or your mother) would. AND-without the...