Don't you love the way a certain ingredient can totally enhance the flavour of another ingredient? Whether it is peanut butter and jam or strawberries and cream, some foods just taste better when served with another. Usually opposites attract; sweet and sour, crunchy and smooth, juicy and chewy, salty and sweet...
Fiona decided to put together a list of her favourite ingredient pairings. Some are normal and some are just plain weird. Let me know if you have any others to add.
- Mango and Chilli Powder
- Cinnamon and Minced Beef
- Salt and Vinegar
- Strawberries and Balsamic Vinegar
- Blue Cheese and Pear
- Onions and Mushrooms
- Avocado and Poached Eggs
- Bread and Salted Butter
- Popcorn and Galaxy Minstrels (I think this also works with peanut M&Ms)
- Green Beans and Sesame Seeds
I tried this in Guatemala and it is amazing. In fact, the Guatemalans add chilli powder to a lot of surprising things. Chilli in your hot chocolate, anyone?
Cinnamon sprinkled on minced beef really enhances the flavour of the beef. Provided you keep the amount restricted, you won't taste the cinnamon, it just gives the meat depth!
In a world of kettle crisps and fancy tortillas chips, sometimes I just want a pack of classic old skool Tayto or Walkers salt and vinegar crisps. The tangy, salty flavour satiates so many cravings. So why not try it on other things: salt and vinegar potatoes, salt and vinegar kale chips, salt and vinegar peanuts etc.
This unusual pairing had a major day in the sun a few years ago and for a reason. It's divine. And so easy!
I went for lunch today and had a lovely blue cheese and walnut salad. Do you know what was missing? The pear!! A nice sweet fruit can completely make this salad.
Onions and mushrooms are hardly an innovative combination, but darn it, it tastes good. Saute them lightly and add a smidgen of butter before serving and eat it with whatever you fancy: on toast, with juicy streaks or grilled chicken breasts, in a bowl with creamy mashed potatoes, with some cream on pasta. The options are endless.
Avocado as a breakfast option only came into my world about a year ago. Before I would always reach for bacon or sausages for my Saturday morning breakfast treat. But now, the simplicity of avocados (mashed up with a little lemon juice and chilli flakes) and a well poached egg has won me over!
Look, there is nothing better than fresh bread (whether it's mam's homemade soda bread or a warm baguette from the local boulangerie) slathered in salted butter and I'm going to go all out and mention Kerrygold! It's not particularly good for you, but it tastes sooooo good!
This revelation started while watching some arbitrary High School movie in the cinema in the late 90s. My friend had bought buttered popcorn and I had my giant bag of Minstrels. Oh dear, the combo is just amazing. Try it! Try it! Try it!
Finally, heat a pan, throw in some sesame seeds and toast them. Then add green beans (and maybe a little soy sauce). This is a great accompaniment to any meat dish!
What's your weirdest food combo?