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...

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...

Right up there with '...Raindrops on Roses ..." Peppermint flavors are a fav thing,   taste-wise - for the holiday season. via GIPHY TIP: Add authentic Peppermint flavor to baked goods, homemade candies (drool worthy Peppermint Patt ies alert), festive cocktails +/or  an aromatic accent to hearty winter dishes of lamb-poultry-pork... with Nie lsen-Massey 's purely delicious Peppermint Extract.   Kosher certified, gluten and GMO free -and free of allergens...available in 2-4 oz sizes. Insta-holiday extract-real taste you can actually taste-a drop-or a tsp- go a long way! 

No matter where we travel nowadays-local food stores we visit are all carrying the regional condiment basics and imports-catering to customer's with global culinary tastes. NOTED:  the lack of artificial and GMO ingredients-that educated consumers just don't want. via GIPHY source imgur.com Gourmet Salts + Extracts a few years back we brought a gift set of salts as a household gift-was me with a verbal thank-you -but the on-verbal face said 'what the heck is this?' Well now salts from around the world are standard fare...including Himalayan Salt-by San Francisco Salt CO. 

Fierce beauty...requires scrutiny. via GIPHY source beyoncegifs.com Since the skin absorbs 90% of what gets put on it (think about that next time one reads products labels full of indecipherable chemicals)...women are scrutinizing beauty ingredients that lack much ( really any  it seems )FDA -USA government oversight-vs the EU...resembling food ingredients. DUH...that's why sales of natural indie beauty brands-skincare products and cosmetics-are booming...with these often home grown businesses finding customers by way of reviews and celeb endorsements-that aren't even paid for. We recently learnt of a USDA ORGANIC line of skin care and cream sunscreen that really impressed us   Sanre Organic Skinfood , Hailing from Georgia-the mountain part where the AT trail starts, a family - run   SANRE Organic Superfood  makes a slew of products...all gluten free and non-GMO...cruelty free and no alcohol in the mix! AND USDA ORGANIC imo-highest eco rati...

Whisky and Beer... Joining Sea Salt, Pickled, Spicy Peppers and Sriracha as the 'hot' accent trends at Fancy Food Show. Some Show Highlights: We've never seen this before-but it works-the slightly bitter nutty espresso atop full ripe blue cheese-y -from Italy's award winning  Luigi Guffanti 1876 -a family owned maker of a slew of delish cheeses-hopefully will be found across the POND-Fab gift baskets for sale too but in Euro Europe only (for now) Hamptons Salt Company ’s  all-natural-additive free flavor infused or smoked salts are the chemical free alternative way to add hints of flavor to a wide variety of dishes...including the giftable  Grill Master Collection  that includes the three most popular salts for grilling: the smoky  Hickory , flavorful smokey  Mesquite  & the very nifty  Espresso  salt-which can add a buzzy distinct accent to baked goods like cookies-or atop ice cream-for  salty-swe...