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In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, where every scroll unveils a new facet of human creativity, the culinary world has once again taken center stage with a plethora of bizarre and fascinating food trends. As we look back 2023, a year of innovation and boundary-pushing flavors, our taste buds are in for a wild ride. From peculiar pairings to unexpected presentations, the world of food on social media is witnessing a revolution that challenges conventional notions and leaves us questioning our culinary comfort zones.
Join us on a gastronomic adventure as we explore the uncharted territories of the culinary realm, where Instagram and TikTok have become the battlegrounds for the most eccentric and daring food creations.
Fruit Roll Up Ice Cream
This icy delight not only drew attention for its unique blend of ingredients but also for the captivating sound it generates when bitten into. In February, Golnar Ghavami, known as @golisdream on TikTok, shared a video featuring the creation and consumption of ice cream encased in a Fruit Roll-Up. In a matter of moments, the ice cream solidified the Fruit Roll-Up, resulting in a gratifying, chip-like crunch that left viewers intrigued.
Ghavami's video has now garnered 14.5 million views, and the TikTok hashtag #fruitrollupandicecream boasts an impressive 146.5 million views. In recent months, social media enthusiasts have embraced this viral food trend, crafting their own variations with diverse ice cream flavors and Fruit Roll-Ups.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
The latest sensation in the realm of ice cream is the cottage cheese ice cream trend that's taking social media by storm. This healthier, protein-rich frozen treat gained widespread attention following content creator Lainie Kates, also known as @lainiecooks, sharing her recipe for strawberry cheesecake cottage cheese ice cream. The recipe is simple, requiring only four ingredients: cottage cheese, a sweetener like maple syrup, strawberries, and crushed graham crackers.
Since the viral success of Kates' video, social media enthusiasts have embraced the trend, putting their own spin on the recipe. They've experimented with various sweeteners and mix-ins, blending them with cottage cheese and freezing the concoction. With a staggering 32.3 million TikTok views, the hashtag #cottagecheeseicecream showcases a diverse array of flavors, including birthday cake, banana cream pie, and cookies and cream.
Upside Down Pastries
Whether you have a penchant for sweet or savory pastries, TikTok's puff pastry hack is guaranteed to gratify your taste buds. Just place your desired filling on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, encase it with a square of puff pastry, seal the edges, brush it with egg wash, and bake until it achieves a golden brown hue. Upon flipping it over, the end result will resemble a conventional pastry.
The hashtag #upsidedownpastry has gained immense popularity on TikTok, amassing 53.2 million views as recipes continue to proliferate on social media. From caramelized honey and nectarines to caramelized shallots, ham, and gruyere cheese, the spectrum of pastry fillings is boundless, offering endless possibilities.
Feta Fried Eggs
Transform your morning with this quick and flavorful breakfast featuring a fried egg elevated with a delightful combination of saltiness and tanginess. In just five minutes, you can create this dish by sprinkling crumbled feta into a preheated nonstick skillet, making a well in the middle for cracking the egg. After seasoning, covering, and cooking until the edges turn wonderfully crispy, you're ready to savor it. While the original creator pairs her feta fried egg with a tortilla and smashed avocado, feel free to enjoy it with toast or hash browns!
On TikTok, Elkus shares in her video, "When hunger strikes and I've got only 5 minutes, here's my go-to." With a staggering 32 million views on both TikTok and Instagram combined, it's evident that the fried feta egg recipe she showcases has truly captivated the audience.
Hash Brown McFlurry Sandwich
This may not align with the preferences of nutrition experts, but if you tend to wake up late and enjoy a brunch-like atmosphere, you might find yourself among the numerous individuals lining up at the McDonald's drive-thru at 10:29 a.m. for hash browns. Some even make a return trip at 10:31 a.m. for a McFlurry, creating the unconventional yet incredibly tasty Hash Brown McFlurry ice cream sandwich! Originating from businesswoman Kelly Arvan Down Under, this seemingly unusual craving quickly gained a dedicated following.
Pickle In a Blanket
This simple yet delightful two-ingredient creation has captivated many palates. While variations like baked slices, gherkin wraps, and ranch-dipped versions exist, the original, a pan-fried dill pickle spear with provolone, gained popularity on TikTok thanks to Claire Snyder. Despite potential skepticism, she confidently declares, "I don't care if anyone says this is gross—it's amazing." We happen to agree with her assessment.
Mustard & Cottage Cheese Diet
No compilation of current trends would be comprehensive without a touch of controversy, and this year, a considerable amount of discussion revolved around the appropriate consumption of cottage cheese and mustard. While influencer Tiffany Magee captivated the online community with her captivating lunchtime routine featuring chicken sausage and hearts of palm, it was accompanied by an overwhelming serving of cottage cheese and an amount of mustard that could potentially overpower a water buffalo from a significant distance. If you're already a fan of this condiment combination in generous proportions and find it to be a creative way to incorporate vegetables into your diet, fantastic! Otherwise, feel free to scroll past... although witnessing it at least once is strongly recommended.
As we wrap up our exploration of the bizarre social media food trends that dominated 2023, it's evident that this year has been a rollercoaster ride for culinary enthusiasts and digital content creators alike. From outrageous flavor combinations to visually stunning creations, the world of food on social media has witnessed a whirlwind of innovation, experimentation, and, of course, a fair share of controversy. As we eagerly anticipate the next wave of culinary innovation, let's savor the eclectic flavors and experiences that 2023 has brought to our digital tables.
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