Illustration: Oliver Munday

Cheese
Like Mozzarella? Try Burrata

"Burrata is one of those cheeses people won't buy because they don't know what it is—but imagine an outer layer of mozzarella filled with milky cream," says Liz Thorpe, author of The Cheese Chronicles. "It doesn't have the chewy, squeaky texture mozzarella can have, and it's wildly versatile. Eat it on its own or toss it into a pot of pasta with tomato sauce. In the summer, I scoop it onto grilled bread with fresh garlic, olive oil and herbs."

Illustration: Oliver Munday

Music Streaming Service
Like Spotify? Tune in to Beats Music

This new streaming service creates intuitive playlists that take into account not only your musical likes but also things like your mood (feel like "humming along" or "saving the world"?) and location (gym, car, work, etc.). "It's scarily on point," says Andrew Hampp, senior branding correspondent at Billboard. "It guessed my favorite band, a semiobscure British group called Saint Etienne, only by knowing which genres of music I love."

Illustration: Oliver Munday

Condiment
Like Sriracha? Slather on Sir Kensington's Chipotle Mayonnaise

Mayo is back—with plans to dethrone the popular chili sauce as the king of condiments. Sir Kensington's chipotle variety has a smooth texture but a nice kick (courtesy of paprika, cumin and black pepper). For first-timers, Sir Kensington's cofounder Mark Ramadan recommends replacing half the mayo in Caesar dressing with the chipotle version for a slightly spicy and smoky variation on the salad. Bonus: It's non-GMO and made with cage-free eggs.

Illustration: Oliver Munday

Pastry
Like Cronuts? Sink Your Teeth Into a Scuffin

If it looks like a muffin, tastes like a scone, and is filled with fruit, it can be only one thing: a scuffin. Frog Hollow Farm in Northern California invented the hybrid pastry as a way to make use of the farm's overripe or blemished—but still edible—peaches and nectarines. "The scone's shape made it difficult to encapsulate the jam," says Frog Hollow Farm's co-owner and chef Becky Courchesne. "So we decided to use a muffin mold to shape the dough, make a well for the jam, and top it off with smaller pieces of dough. That's how we got the scuffin." (Ships nationally)
Baker's rack

Illustration: Oliver Munday

Wine
Like Champagne? Toast With California Sparkling Wine

"A bottle of bubbly is the go-to for any occasion," says Jessica Certo, sommelier at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in New York. "But while people tend toward French Champagne, California sparkling wines—like Schramsberg Vineyards' Blanc de Blancs—are generally less expensive and can be even more satisfying. The ripe climate can create a fruitier flavor and more body than you get with Champagne, without sacrificing that toasted, nutty quality."

Illustration: Oliver Munday

Celebrity Crush
Like Ryan Gosling? Feast Your Eyes on Theo James

We first fell for the tall, dark and handsome Brit during his memorable, albeit brief, appearance as Mr. Pamuk (the seductive Turkish diplomat whom Lady Mary loves to death) in season 1 of Downton Abbey. Gosling-like, he's a romantic lead (in our niece's latest obsession, Divergent), and he can also veer edgy (in the adaptation of Martin Amis's mystery London Fields). And did we mention he did some time in a rock band? Swoon.

Illustration: Oliver Munday

Pop Star
Like Bruno Mars? Groove to Miniature Tigers

His Super Bowl half-time show cemented Mars as the king of danceable pop tunes with a side of doo-wop. Meet his heirs apparent: indie pop group Miniature Tigers. Their single "Swimming Pool Blues," off their new album, Cruel Runnings, is guaranteed to be the song of the summer. "Their fun, upbeat, catchy songs make for happy listening," says Manish Raval, who as music supervisor for HBO's Girls, always has his ear to the ground.
Published 07/11/2014