Like Tom and Jerry, Batman and Robin, or Mario and Luigi…there are certain duos that just work together. In food, there are quite a few combinations that taste great together, but some are not so well-known. Next time you want to impress your guests, try one of these lesser known (but tasty) food pairs. You won’t be disappointed!
You may have seen these little hors d'oeuvres at a cocktail party before. They aren’t cheap to make, depending on where you stay, both dates and blue cheese may be expensive ingredients. But the taste sure makes up for it. The saltiness of the blue cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the dates. Medjool dates are the best to use for these appetizers, and they are softer and sweeter. If blue cheese is too sharp to your liking, you can substitute it with goats’ cheese. And if you really want to take it up a notch, you can wrap them in bacon. The plate will be empty within the first few minutes!
The combination of sweet and salty never disappoints, and most people enjoy how the two tastes complement each other. The sweet, crunchy watermelon pairs so well with the soft, creamy feta cheese. Together, they make a perfect blend of deliciousness in one bite. For a simple watermelon salad, combine watermelon, feta, mint and top with a drizzle of balsamic syrup.
A combination that simply screams summer! The spicy aroma of sweet basil makes a great addition to sweet peaches. Best of all, you can turn this combination into a dessert or a salad. To make a tasty dessert, grill peaches with honey, and serve with almonds, cream, and basil. To make a salad, simply chop up fresh peaches, and combine with goat’s cheese and basil.
The humble carrot. Probably one of the most underappreciated vegetables of them all. They’re affordable, versatile, and lasts longer than most veggies. And the possibilities of recipes you can make with carrots are endless. They are even used in desserts (carrot cake, please!). But whatever carrot dish you have in mind, chances are that cumin will pair well with it. Roast carrots in the oven and finish them off with a sprinkle of cumin and black pepper or make a warming carrot soup with cumin and coriander.
The combination of cabbage and bacon originally started in Ireland, and the reason why it might not be so popular in all countries may be a simple one…people just don’t like cabbage that much! But if there’s one way to make any dish better, it’s to add bacon. Bacon makes everything better. To make a quick side dish, sauté bacon until crisp, add cabbage and cook until softened. Finish off with a dash of Worcestershire sauce and seasoning. And that’s all you need to turn bland cabbage into something special!
The most delicious recipes are often the simplest ones. By choosing ingredients that pair well, you can impress your guest with delicious dishes at your next get-together. What are your favorite food pairs?