#texture

#texture

The 365 Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix is part of Whole Foods' in-house brand, known for its organic, budget-friendly products. Priced at $4.29 at my local Whole Foods, this boxed mix was pleasantly affordable and cheaper than familiar brands like Pillsbury and Betty Crocker. The batter was made with oil, water, eggs, and dry mix, but very quickly, I had concerns.

Straight from the oven, monkey bread is defined by sweet, buttery flavors and occasionally, a hint of cinnamon warmth. Anything other than that, and you'd have to branch out into other unique ingredients that make monkey bread more irresistible. Of course, you can turn to what's already inside your own kitchen. Just open the fridge and grab that trusty packet of bacon, and all of a sudden, you've got a new, interesting take on monkey bread.

Some chefs pride themselves on blurring the lines between food and art. For Executive Chef Andrew Oh, Momoya SoHo has become revered for putting beauty on plates, such is the case for the restaurant's beautiful wine glass parfaits. However, Oh is known for sushi creations that are equally impressive. We asked the chef for tips on sushi-making (known as one of the most difficult culinary techniques to master) so that our next batch of caterpillar rolls look more professional than problematic.

If your grocery store is anything like mine, then you have seemingly endless cereal options to choose from when you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast. Some may prefer cereal that's on the sweeter end of the spectrum, like these chocolate breakfast cereals, and others may prefer a brighter, fresher flavor and opt for fruity cereals. On the other hand, those who want to cut down on sweetness will probably look for no sugar added cereals.

The eye touches a meal before the mouth, and a finishing drizzle immediately creates an aesthetically impressive plating (pop of color, touch of panache). Beyond that "je ne sais quoi" factor, a lovin' drizzle is also a gourmet finisher, a quick one-step way to incorporate a dimensional touch of flavor to a stripped-down soup. To do it, simply scoop your tomato soup into serving bowls as normal, then gently spoon or drizzle a topping of your choice across the soup's surface.

Brutalism once suggested stark, monumental forms, with raw concrete presented in uncompromising honesty. Today, that legacy is evolving into a softer interior design language: Soft Brutalism. Rather than a contradiction, it becomes a thoughtful fusion where concrete is shaped into gentler, more human-centered forms. This shift responds to a culture saturated with disposable design and offers a return to authenticity, weight, and permanence.

The Cheesecake Factory is known for its tome-like menu, marvelous food options, and, of course, popular namesake desserts. With so many sweet treats to choose from, it's hard to imagine any of the many Cheesecake Factory cheesecake flavors falling short. Unfortunately, one decadent offering failed to measure up under the scrutiny of Tasting Table's review. Albeit a delightful confection on its own, the Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake is worth omitting from your next dessert order.

Let's start with the obvious: all four drinks-the strawberry glaze skin, the Malibu mango, the coconut cloud and the vanilla matcha-looked beautiful. The colors were magnificent, especially the blue and the green (which couldn't be said about the flavors themselves, but more on that later). The Time Out team immediately scooped up some of the blue coconut cloud smoothie ($24), made with almond milk, pineapple, banana, avocado, almond butter, coconut cream and enhanced with vanilla collagen and blue spirulina (all organic).

The abundance of bars has made "granola bar" more of an umbrella term than a descriptor of particular ingredients. There are cereal bars and fruit and nut bars, bars with protein and Bars for Girls. Some say they're for "nutrition," while others tout protein or energy or fiber as their main draw. But there is something to be said for the classic granola bar, an amalgamation of grains and fruits and chocolate held together by the barest hint of sugar glue.

Pickles have been having a major moment lately, and for good reason. From pickle-infused drinks like martinis and lemonade to chips and popcorn, the tangy, salty, vinegar-soaked vegetables are popping up in recipes most people would never consider. You might think of them as an unexpected ingredient in coleslaw, but once you've tasted a version with those piquant little bits, you won't ever go back to making it without them.

The joy of eating strawberries extends beyond their sweet and tart taste; one of their best qualities is just how effortlessly snackable they are. All you need to do is give one a simple wash and pluck out its stem before munching on it. As it turns out, however, there is merit to giving strawberries some extra prep. It may seem unnecessary to peel a strawberry, but there's a reason why you should - it improves the flavor and texture of the fruit.

When you think of Italian ice, images of smooth and velvety, fruity, nutty, or chocolate flavors are usually what come to mind. What you probably don't think of is these delicious flavors paired with something savory and salty. So here's the twist: There's an unexpected snack that can transform your Italian ice experience into something unforgettable - pretzels. The combination might sound odd at first, but it's a sensory delight that brings contrast, balance, and fun to your palate.

Potatoes are one of the vegetables you should be adding to your baked goods. This is because when unseasoned, they have a pretty neutral profile, so they won't add actual flavor or steal the spotlight from chocolate, cinnamon, or whatever your dessert is. But they will greatly elevate texture. They hold onto moisture, so in a cake or bread, they ensure a moist, never-dry consistency.

As a healthy snack or a topping for tomorrow morning's yogurt, granola has a range of uses. One thing about buying store-bought granola is that you don't have control over the ingredients, sugar levels, and preservatives that keep it fresh in that plastic bag. A workaround is to make your own granola, but it hinges on the right type of oats. And rolled oats are the best option.

White-Gluz embraces joyfully textured sounds, merging various musical styles, culminating in an album that resonates with emotional sincerity and a nostalgic awareness of the past.

Gonzalo fuses his architectural roots with a fearless, hands-on spirit-one that thrives on texture, contrast, and the thrill of the unexpected.