Adding Flavor

This is from the work of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, who spent 8 years interviewing how chefs pair foods, spices and herbs. I took some of the most common foods and herbs (and biased to my taste) and some of the most popular pairings. But this is a very, very small snippet. If you find this useful, consider buying their book called Flavor Bible, which is organized in the same way but basically a hundred times as in-depth.

Because most of the pairings picked here are based on popularity, they are not exactly diet friendly (e.g. butter or cream). But if you get the book, you can pick the ones that are more practical in a diet context.

Be aware that these pairings aren’t necessarily supposed to be added together. While many pairs can do well with each other, it’s best to view them individually. Don’t add the entire list and expect it to be good. Pick one or two that you think will work well.

How well the pairings work depends on how you use them and cook them. If you’re unsure how to cook a certain ingredient with the food you’re looking at, for example, how to incorporate cashews into chicken, feel free to Google and see specific recipes. Then you can either follow the specific recipe or if you don’t, at least you know how cashews are put into these types of dishes.

Protein:

Bacon: eggs, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, vinegar

Beef (loin): butter, ginger, black pepper, white pepper, rosemary, thyme, wasabi

Beef (steak): butter, chives, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, mustard, canola/ grapeseed/sesame oil, parsley, pepper, potatoes, shallots, vinegar, dry red wine

Beef (rib eye): garlic, porcini mushrooms, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, rosemary, red pepper flakes, vinegar.

Cheese: apples, breads, celery, cherries, dates, dried fruits, nuts

Chicken: bacon, basil, bay leaf, butter, carrots, cheese, chile peppers, cilantro, cinnamon, cream, curry powder, garlic, ginger, mustard, peanut oil, olive oil, olives, onions, paprika, parsley, black/white/pink pepper, potatoes, rosemary, shallots, thyme, tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, dry red wine

Ham: cheese, honey, mustard, parsley, potatoes, soy sauce, sugar, thyme, red and white wine

Eggs: asparagus, basil, feta/mozzarella/parmesan cheese, pepper, potatoes, spinach

Mackerel: chives, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, onions, parsley, pepper, scallions, shallots, thyme, vinegar, dry white wine.

Pork: apples, apple cider and juice, bacon, bay leaf, butter, cabbage, chile peppers, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, fennel, garlic, ginger, honey, lemon, lime juice, spearmint, mustard, olive oil, onions, orange, oregano, paprika, parsley, pears, black pepper, prunes, rosemary, sage, shallots, sour cream, soy sauce, thyme, tomatoes and tomato paste, turmeric, vinegar, wine.

Salmon: asparagus, bacon, basil, beans, butter, chervil, chile peppers, chives, coriander, cream, cucumbers, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, horseradish, lemon juice and zest, lentils, lime juice and zest, mint, mushrooms, mustard, mustard seeds, nutmeg, olive oil, onions, orange, parsley, pepper, pineapple, potatoes, kosher salt, shallots, sesame seeds, scallions, sorrel, stocks, sugar, tabasco sauce, tarragon, thyme, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, watercress, wine.

Seafood (general): apples, avocados, citrus, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, mint, olive oil

Shallots: butter, garlic, mustard, olive oil, salads, tarragon, thyme, vinegar

Shrimp: arugula, avocado, bacon, basil, bay leaf, beans, red bell peppers, butter, carrots, carrot juice, cayenne, celery, chile peppers, cilantro, chives, cinnamon, clams, crab, cream, curry, garlic, ginger, lemon, mint, mushrooms, mustard, olive oil, orange juice and zest, parsley, pepper, rosemary, saffron, scallions, sesame oil and seeds, shallots, soy sauce, tomatoes, wine. Tofu: asparagus, cabbage, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, noodles, salads, sesame oil and seeds, soy sauce, teriyaki

Trout: almonds, anchovies, apple cider and fruit, brown butter sauce, butter, celery, garlic, lemon juice, oil, parsley, sage, wine

Tuna: anchovies, avocado, basil, beans, bell peppers, butter, chile peppers, chives, cilantro, coriander, cucumbers, garlic, ginger, lemon juice and zest, mushrooms, mustard, olive oil, olives, onions, parsley, pepper, radishes, scallions, sesame oil and seeds, soy sauce, thyme, tomatoes, vinegar, wasabi.

Turkey: chestnuts, cranberries, garlic, mushrooms, oil, onions, pepper, potatoes

Yogurt: almonds, fruit, chickpeas, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice and zest, onions, orange juice and zest, vanilla.

Carbs:

Beans (black): avocado, bacon, bay leaf, carrots, celery, cilantro, cumin, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, onions, pepper, salt, scallions, sour cream, thyme, tomatoes, vinegar

Beans (green): almonds, bacon, basil, butter, parmesan cheese, cumin, dill, hard-boiled eggs, garlic, ginger, ham, lemon juice, olive oil, olives, onions, parsley, potatoes, salt, shallots, tarragon, thyme, tomatoes, vinegar.

Beans (kidney): bay leaf, garlic, onions, parsley, savory

Chestnuts: apple cider, apples, apple juice, brussels sprouts, butter, celery, chocolate, cream, milk, fennel, honey, lemon, porcini mushrooms, onions, black and white pepper, rum, chicken stock, sugar, vanilla

Chickpeas: carrots, cayenne, cilantro, coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, olive oil, onions, paprika, parsley, black and white pepper, rosemary, kosher salt, shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, vinegar, yogurt.

Corn: bacon, basil, bell peppers, butter, cayenne, celery, cheddar cheese, chile peppers, chives, cilantro, crea, dill, garlic, lime juice, mushrooms, olive oil, onions, pepper, potatoes, thyme, tomatoes

Couscous: cilantro, cumin, lemon, mint, olive oil, tomatoes and tomato juice

Fruit (general): almonds, ginger, lemon, sabayon sauce, sugar, vanilla

Oatmeal: apples, blueberries, coffee, figs, ginger, honey, maple syrup, milk, raisins, yogurt. Pasta: butter, mozzarella/parmesan/ricotta cheese, cream, cured meats, garlic, mushrooms, olive oil, parsley, tomatoes, truffles.

Potatoes: bacon, bay leaf, beef, butter, celery root, cheese, chicken, chives, cream, milk, eggs, garlic, leeks, mayonnaise, mushrooms, mustard, nutmeg, olive oil, onions, parsley, parsnips, pepper, rosemary, sage, shallots, sorrel, sour cream, steak, thyme, tomatoes, truffles, vinegar, wine, yogurt.

Rice (basmati): almonds, butter, chicken, coconut, garlic, ginger, nuts, green and red onions, saffron, kosher salt

Rice (wild): butter, celery, nut oils, pepper, scallions

Sweet potatoes: Allspice, apples and apple juice, bay leaf, bourbon, butter, chile peppers, cilantro, cinnamon, cream, garlic, ginger, honey, lime juice, maple syrup, molasses, nutmeg, olive oil, red onions, orange, parsley, pecans, pepper, rum, kosher salt, brown sugar, thyme, walnuts

Vegetables:

Artichokes: anchovies, bay leaf, bread crumbs, butter, cheese (emmental, goat, parmesan), garlic, lemon, mayonnaise, mint, olive oil, onions, parsley, pepper

Arugula: cheese (goat, parmesan), garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, radicchio, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar

Asparagus: butter, cheese (chévre, fontina, goat, parmesan, ricotta), chervil, cream, eggs, garlic, leeks, lemon, mushrooms, mustard, olive oil, parsley, pepper

Bell peppers: basil, goat/mozzarella/parmesan cheese, chile peppers, eggplant, garlic, lemon, olive/canola oil, onions, oregano, parsley, black pepper, red potatoes, rice, salt, thyme, tomatoes, vinegar, zucchini

Bok Choy: ginger, rice, sesame oil and seeds, soy sauce

Broccoli: butter, cauliflower, cheese, chile peppers, garlic, lemon, mustard, mustard seeds, basmati rice, thyme

Cabbage: apples, apple cider, bacon, butter, carrots, cream, garlic, ginger, mayonnaise, mustard, onions, black and white pepper, pork, potatoes, rice, sour cream, sugar, thyme, vinegar

Carrots: butter, chile peppers, cinnamon, coriander, cream, cumin, dill, ginger, honey, lemon, maple syrup, mint, olive oil, orange, parsley, parsnips, salt, sugar, tarragon, thyme

Cauliflower: anchovies, bread crumbs, butter, cheese, chili sauce, cream and milk, curry powder, dill, garlic, lemon, mint, oil, onions, white and black pepper, red potatoes

Celery: butter, blue cheese, chicken and vegetable stocks.

Eggplant: anchovies, basil, bell peppers, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, chile peppers, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, lemon juice, miso, olive oil, olives, onion, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sesame oil and seeds, soy sauce, thyme, tomatoes, vinegar, yogurt, zucchini.

Kale: garlic, grapeseed oil, olive oil, onions, red pepper flakes, salt, chicken stock, thyme

Leeks: butter, cheese, chicken, chives, cream, eggs, fish, garlic, mustard, olive oil, oregano,pepper, potatoes, tarragon, thyme, vinaigrette, red and dry white wine.

Mushrooms: bacon, butter, cream, garlic, leeks, lemon, onions, olive oil, parsley, black and white pepper, rosemary, shallots, sherry, stocks, tarragon, thyme, balsamic, wine.

Scallions: bell peppers, butter, cream, olive oil, garlic, parsley, thyme

Spinach: anchovies, bacon, butter, aged/emmental/feta/goat/parmesan/ ricotta cheese, cream, milk, dill, eggs, garlic, lemon, lovage, mushrooms, mustard, nutmeg, olive oil, onions, pepper, pine nuts, potatoes, raisins, sesame seeds, shallots, soy sauce,vinegar, walnuts

Squash (butternut): butter, goat/parmesan, ricotta cheese, cinnamon, coconut milk, cream, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, nutmeg, pumpkin seeds, olive oils, red onions, parsley, pepper, sage, spinach, thyme

Tomatoes: basil, bay leaf, bell peppers, blue/goat/mozzarella/parmesan cheese, chile peppers, chives, cilantro, cucumbers, fennel, garlic, lemon juice and zest, mint, olive oil, olives, onions, parsley, pasta, pepper, salads, sauces, shallots, stews, stocks, sugar, thyme, vinegar, watermelon

Zucchini: basil, bell peppers, butter, dry feat/goat/parmesan/ricotta cheese, chile peppers, eggplant, garlic, lemon juice and zest, nut oils, olive oil, onions, parsley, pecans, pepper, kosher and sea salt.

Fat:

Almonds: apricots, caramel, coconut, coffee, cream, figs, hazelnuts

Avocados: chile peppers, cilantro, endive, frisée, grapefruit, lemon, lobster, canola oil, onions, pepper, kosher salt.

Avocado oil: arugula, asparagus, fish, grapefruit, lemon juice and orange juice, salad and salad dressings.

Canola oil: salads and salad dressings

Cashews: chicken, coconut, honey, kiwi, lemon, mango, persimmon, rice, vanilla, vegetables

Pistachios: apricots, cheese, chicken, chocolate, honey, lemon, peaches

Olive oil: almonds, anchovies, fish, parmesan cheese, thyme, garlic

Olives: almonds, anchovies, basil, capers, garlic, lemon juice and zest, onions, orange juice and zest, parsley, pepper, salmon, kosher salt, thyme, tomatoes, tuna, vinegar

Walnuts: apples, bananas, butter, caramel, blue/cheddar/goat/parmesan/ ricotta cheese, chocolate, cookies, cream, figs, honey, maple syrup, orange juice and zest, pears, prunes, sugar, vanilla.

Spices and herbs:

Basil: bell peppers, cheese, chicken, eggplant, fish, garlic, lemon, meats, mint, olive oil, oregano, salmon, salads, shellfish, soups, tomatoes, vinegar, watermelon, zucchini

Bay Leaf: beans, fish, meats, parsley, potatoes, rice, soups, stews, stocks and broths, thyme, tomatoes

Chile peppers: black and pinto beans, cilantro, coconut, coconut milk, corn, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, lime juice, onions, rice, tomatoes, tomato sauces, vinegar

Garlic: basil, parmesan cheese, chicken, lamb, lemon, meats, mushrooms, mustard, olive oil, onions, tomatoes and tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, red wine.

Ginger: apples, basil, chicken, chile peppers, chocolate, cilantro, cinnamon, cream, ice-cream, cumin, curries, fish, garlic, honey, lemon, mint, pears, rum, sesame oil, shrimp, soups, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar

Parsley: basil, carrots, chicken, eggs, egg plant, fish, garlic, lemon, olive oil, pasta, pork, potatoes, salads, vegetables

Black pepper: beef, eggs, lemon and lime juice, meats, steaks, strawberries

Rosemary: beans, bell peppers, breads, butter, cabbage, chicken, duck, eggs, egg plant, grilled fish, garlic, grilled fishes, lavender, lemon juice and zest, marjoram, grilled meats, mushrooms, olive oil, onions, orange juice, oregano, parsley, peas, pork, potatoes, poultry, roasted meats.

Thyme: bay leaf, beans, carrots, cheese, chicken, chives, corn, egg, plant, fish, lemon, meats, mushrooms, onions, oregano, parsley, pork, potatoes, rosemary, sauces, soups, stews, tomatoes, vegetables.

Turmeric: chicken, curry leaves and powder, fish, mustard, rice.