A food composition or dough mixture and method. An alginate gel food composition or dough mixture is provided. In some embodiments, the composition includes water, alginate, and a polysaccharide textural modifier. In other embodiments, the composition further includes flour which may be present in reduced amounts compared to conventional dough-based food compositions. The composition is formed by mixing the components to form a dough mixture and contacting the dough mixture in a cation bath.