Some flavour combinations are iconic. Think strawberries and cream, pancakes and maple syrup, tomato and basil – they’re a match made in heaven and it’s hard to think of one ingredient without the other.
That said, the world of flavour is complicated. There are plenty of combinations that seem bonkers but are actually well worth trying. Feeling adventurous? Try one of these “unusual” flavour pairings, courtesy of Jordan Moore, Senior Food Innovation Manager at meal delivery plan service, Gousto
Unusual flavour pairings – Coca-Cola & Pork
These two go together particularly well if you’re making pulled pork. When the smokiness of the pork and the sweetness of the Coca-Cola come together, the result is a delicious, sweet-tasting barbecue dish.
Unusual flavour pairings – Chocolate & Avocado
Not only does the creamy texture of avocado beautifully complement the richness of chocolate, but if you’re making a dessert, like a mousse, there’s actually some science behind this combo, too. Chocolatey desserts often swap out melted chocolate by combining certain oils and fats with cocoa powder. Avocado’s perfect for this, as it’s packed with its own natural oils and fats.
Unusual flavour pairings – Strawberries & Balsamic
When you consider adding something to a bowl of strawberries, you’ll most likely think about sugar or cream. Maybe even chocolate. You probably won’t make a beeline for the balsamic vinegar. The reality, however, is that the sharpness of the balsamic and the sweetness of the strawberries make a winning combination. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a tasty dessert or serve them as they are for a surprising starter.
Unusual flavour pairings – Olive Oil & Sea Salt over Vanilla Ice Cream
So often viewed as just an accompaniment, the simple scoop of vanilla ice cream deserves its own spotlight. It might sound strange, but swap your raspberry sauce and sprinkles for olive oil and salt and you’ve got yourself a delightfully grown-up dinner party dessert – no effort required. The delicate, herby tones of good quality olive oil, and sharpness of a few flakes of sea salt pair perfectly with the rich, smooth creaminess of ice cream.There’s nothing vanilla about this combination.
Unusual flavour pairings – Bacon & Chocolate
Bear with us. We know this one probably sounds wacky. But there’s no reason chocolate and bacon shouldn’t make a great match. Sweet and salty flavours go together incredibly well – we’ll happily combine bacon and maple syrup on a pancake, so why not go one step further? Try a sprinkle of crispy bacon over a brownie for another (highly recommended) way to explore this peculiar pairing.
Unusual flavour pairings – Coffee & Gravy
Some combinations that might sound odd are actually favourites in other parts of the world. Adding coffee to gravy, for instance, seems like a bizarre twist to put on a classic British roast dinner. But in America, it’s so common that it actually has its own name: red-eye gravy. Traditionally made with rendered pork fat, it’s a crowd-pleaser in some of the southern states, with the coffee providing a powerful, rich depth of flavour.
Unusual flavour pairings – Strawberries & Fried Chicken
To round off our list, we have a brilliantly brave flavour pairing, but one that’s delicious if you’re bold enough to try it: strawberries and fried chicken. By bringing these two together, you’ll combine the juicy sweetness of the fruit with the crunchy saltiness of the chicken. It’s quite a departure from the beans and gravy that you might usually sit on the side of your fried chicken. But once you’ve tried it, you’ll never want to go back. Give it a go yourself in this Crispy Fried Chicken and Strawberry Burger, Fries & Garlic Mayo recipe…
Ingredients – For 2 people [double for 4]
- 2 British chicken breasts
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 tbsp cornflour
- 4 white potatoes
- 50ml mayonnaise
- 1 gem lettuce
- 2 butter brioche buns
- 15ml balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- 8ml soy sauce
- 1 tomato
- 1 sliced strawberry
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C (fan)/ gas 6
Cut the potatoes (skins on) into thin fries
Add the fries to a baking paper-lined baking tray with a drizzle of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt and pepper, give everything a good mix up and put the tray in the oven for 20-25 min or until crispy
- While the fries are in the oven, cut the chicken breasts into strips
Add the chicken strips, soy sauce and smoked paprika to a bowl and give everything a good mix up then set aside
Add the cornflour, dried oregano and 1 tbsp [2 tbsp] flour to a shallow plate with a pinch of salt and pepper and mix well – this is your herby flour mix - Remove the coated chicken strips from the bowl and firmly press each one into the herby flour mix, making sure to evenly coat them on both sides – these are your coated chicken strips
- Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a very generous drizzle of vegetable oil (enough to cover the base of the pan) over a medium-high heat
Once hot, add the coated chicken strips and cook for 4-5 min on each side or until golden brown, crispy and cooked through (no pink meat!) – this is your crispy fried chicken - Meanwhile, cut the brioche buns in half
Add the brioche halves to a separate baking tray and put the tray in the oven for 4-5 min or until warmed through - Wash and shred the gem lettuce, then pat it dry with kitchen paper
Dice the tomato[es] finely - Peel and finely chop (or grate) the garlic
Combine the chopped garlic (not a fan of raw garlic? Go easy!) with the mayo, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and black pepper – this is your garlic mayo
Combine the balsamic vinegar with 2 tbsp [4 tbsp] olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper – this is your salad dressing
Spread your warmed brioche buns with the garlic mayo, then pile up the shredded lettuce, pop a sliced strawberry in and crispy fried chicken on top
Serve the fries, diced tomato and remaining shredded lettuce to the side
Drizzle the salad dressing over the tomato and lettuce
There’s nothing as comforting as an old staple – we turn to them without a second thought. But with an open mind, there’s no shortage of flavour combinations you could try. Gousto has plenty of handy meal kits ready to help broaden your flavour pairing horizons, so be adventurous with your combos, and who knows? You might just find a new favourite…
