classic flavour pairings

When it comes to creating new dishes there’s no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ each time. Some ingredients were just made to be together so it can be helpful to know the classic combinations.

These are just some of my favourite pairings and by no means a complete list. You may not even agree with me on some!

So take this as a starting point and add (or cross off) your favourites…

VEGETABLE PAIRINGS

:: tomato & basil
:: beetroot & goats cheese
:: carrot & cumin
:: cauliflower & spices
:: cauliflower & cheese
:: broccoli & lemon
:: peas & mint
:: potato & rosemary
:: potato & garlic
:: potato & parsley
:: cabbage & bacon
:: cabbage & cheese
:: avocado & chilli
:: avocado & bacon – think BLT with more!
:: wilted greens & garlic
:: mushroom & garlic
:: mushrooms & thyme
:: eggplant & tomato
:: eggplant & olive oil
:: asparagus & egg
:: parsley & mint
:: lime & chilli

FISH PAIRINGS

:: fish / shellfish & lemon
:: fish / shellfish & lime
:: fish & fennel
:: fish & dill
:: fish, chilli, soy & ginger
:: fish & chips & vinegar
:: salmon & beetroot
:: fish & capers
:: fish & saffron – think paella or bouillibaise
:: fish & white wine

MEATY PAIRINGS

:: meat & potatoes – the way to an (irish) man’s heart
:: beef & horseradish
:: beef & mustard
:: beef & coffee – as in this coffee rub
:: beef & blue cheese
:: chicken & peanut – think satay
:: chicken & red capsicum (bell pepper)
:: chicken & apricot – one of my mum’s specials
:: chicken & garlic – chicken ‘kiev’ anyone?
:: pork & fennel – either fennel seeds or the bulbs
:: pork & apple
:: lamb & rosemary
:: lamb & artichoke – the Roman classic
:: lamb & mint
:: meat pie & ‘sauce’ (ketchup) – the Aussie icon
:: bacon & eggs
:: duck & orange
:: ham & cheese
:: ham & chutney & cheese

CHEESY PAIRINGS

:: blue cheese & pear
:: cheese & onion
:: cheese & potato
:: cheese & quince paste
:: cheese & chives
:: goats cheese & basil – one of my favourite omelettes
:: sour cream & chives
:: ricotta & salami – a favourite pizza combo
:: cheese & mushrooms

SWEET PAIRINGS

:: apple & cinnamon
:: chocolate & hazelnut – or pretty much any other nut
:: chocolate & chilli
:: chocolate & coffee
:: honey & almond
:: vanilla & eggs – yum, custard
:: vanilla & cream
:: strawberries & cream
:: orange & almond
:: chocolate & zucchini – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it in a cake
:: pineapple & mint
:: blackberry & apple

KEEN FOR MORE?

In doing some research for this class I stumbled upon a brilliant book. The Flavour Thesaurus – Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for the Creative Cook by Niki Segnit. Well worth picking up a copy if you’d like to take flavour pairings further.

Segnit includes some weird and wonderful matches along with the classics. Love her descriptions as to why different matches work, complete with popular culture references.

The other book I’d recommend investigating is The Cook’s Companion by Australian chef Stephanie Alexander. A complete A-Z of ingredients, she includes a list of what each ingredient goes well with along with tips for preparation, choosing and storing and of course recipes.

Back to: Master Your Meal Plan Overview.