Honey, We Shrunk the Food: Why Are We So Obsessed with Mini Foods? Food News

It happened gradually, a steady shrinking of normal-sized foods into 'cute' bite-size versions. The muffin pan has never gotten more use than in the last few years, as everything from lasagna to pot pies and pizzas has gotten miniaturized. What's the deal? Well, some scientists say humans are hard-wired to respond to anything that triggers our impulse to nurture and care, and that's what cute food does.

The Salt recently posed this question, and reminded us that a few years ago Natalie Angie from The New York Times called this 'the cute factor.'

She said that humans are hardcoded to respond positively to any features or signs that reminds us of needy infants, from "the young of virtually every mammalian species, fuzzy-headed birds like Japanese cranes, woolly bear caterpillars, a bobbing balloon, a big round rock stacked on a smaller rock, a colon, a hyphen and a close parethesis typed in succession."

Add mini food to that list, and you've got yourself an answer. Another interesting aspect, as The Salt notes, is that it's no surprise we're miniaturizing rich, carb-and-fat heavy foods like lasagna and pies: "It allows an indulgence without the guilt."

How do you feel about mini foods? Are you on this trend's bandwagon?

Read More: Lasagna Cupcakes, Anyone? Science Says We Can't Get Enough Mini Stuff The Salt

Related: Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Mini Monkey Breads with Lemon Glaze

(Image: Liz Vidyarthi)

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Lemon Meringue Toffee & Lasagna with Roasted Butternut Squash Delicious Links

Chocolate pumpkin cake, butternut lasagna, and red pepper pesto pasta in today's Delicious Links.

Today's Delicious Links

Red Pepper Pesto over Angel Hair Pasta - That's Some Good Cookin'.

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake - La Mia Vita Dolce.

Lemon Meringue Toffee - Wholesome Ireland.

Lasagna with Roasted Butternut Squash and Spicy Marinara - A Dash of Cinnamon.

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Send us a link here!

Previous Delicious Links

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Dinner, Deconstructed: Lasagna Soup

Sometimes the best pasta happens without a recipe. Just the other day, I served chili over some freshly cooked pasta, and it was great! So, what happens when you love lasagna, but aren't quite up to the whole assembly process? Read on for your dinner plan!

Joanne at Eats Well With Others is responsible for this great tip. Ideal for those who are always wishing for more sauce, the "soup" in this dish is a chunky Bolognese (vegetarian, too!). Topped with a generous amount of cheese, the combined effect is that of a bite of lasagna: tomato sauce, pasta, creamy cheese together. We can't wait to try it!

Get the recipe: Lasagna Soup at Eats Well With Others

Related: Easy Weeknight Recipe: Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti

(Images: Joanne of Eats Well With Others)

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