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Perfect Marriage

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Though I have yet to solve the code to finding the right partner, I have found many perfect marriages- of flavor. One of the things I enjoy most about cooking is putting complementary favors together so that each enhances the other. Flavor and spice combinations can be like a flag; tomato sauces taste Italian when they have basil and oregano, but add a bit of cinnamon and thyme and you’ve crossed the Adriatic to Greece. You’ve probably heard of the holy trinity of celery, peppers and onion that is the basis for New Orleans cooking, and if you want food to taste Chinese you need a different trinity of ginger, garlic and scallion, finished with toasted sesame oil. These are examples of regional flavor, which I will surely return to, but today we’re talking about flavors that belong together because like in any perfect marriage they are better together than they are alone.

Summer is time for blueberry pie, and nothing does more for a blueberry than lemon! My absolute favorite pie is a blueberry-lemon crumb pie. It was a staple at The Hungry Moon (the diner I used to own) and I made it all summer long. I prefer wild blueberries, they are tiny, with an intense flavor. If you can’t get them fresh, frozen are fine. I think frozen wild blueberries are even better than fresh cultivated ones. My mom used to serve lemon-ricotta pancakes at her bed and breakfast, and when I suggested she serve them with blueberry syrup instead of the maple she had been using, her guests raved!

Another summer pair perfect for pies, pancakes, chutney, or a salsa is peach and ginger. The soft sweetness of the peach is perfect for the warm spiciness of ginger, and whether you like fresh grated, ground, or candied ginger these flavors just belong together. How about a peach and ginger salsa to go on your grilled chicken or fish? Or a warm peach and candied ginger pie with some vanilla ice cream? If you can get over-ripe peaches these are the best to cook with- they are usually marked down, and will cook up just fine. If you’re grilling, try grilling your peaches before using them.

As far as I am concerned cucumbers need dill. Just thinking about cucumber cools me down, and the grassy fresh dill is not too overpowering for the delicate flavor of the cucumber. I always remove the seeds from the cucumbers whatever I am using them for- even salads- because that is where a lot of the water comes from. Here are two tricks I’ve learned for cucumber prep- cut a small piece off each end of the cucumber and rub it around on the cucumber until there is a bubbly foam, then wipe that foam away- I have heard from multiple sources that this removes any bitterness from the cucumber, and then to seed it, slice in half lengthwise, and use a teaspoon or melon baller to scoop out the seeds.

Finding these perfect pairs often happens unexpectedly, or even accidentally. Sometimes when I am cooking I will hunt through my fridge and cabinets searching for a particular kind of flavor, and something will jump out at me. I like to think about a flavor- kind of mentally roll it around on my tongue and think about matching it with something else, and then blend them together in my head. There are many more of these perfect pairs, and plenty of time to explore them as we move through the seasons. I’d love to hear about your favorites, so please send them in!

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  • July 2, 2013 - 9:43 am

    Amy Meade - Nancy whenever I read about any of your recipes my mouth starts watering. Anytime you want to share a recipe I know I would love it!
    AmyReplyCancel

  • July 8, 2013 - 9:00 am

    Deb - I know this may sound odd to some ( like those people marriages that seem unlikely, yet work well for the couple), but marinating strawberries in vinegar, with maybe a tad of confectioner’s sugar, takes their flavor to a whole new level. Plain white vinegar works, but the fancier ones that you can find in specialty stores are even better.
    A little angel food cake on the bottom, and a dollap of Greek yoghurt on top, and you’ve got a fine dessert (or breakfast)!ReplyCancel

  • July 24, 2013 - 11:20 am

    URL - … [Trackback]

    […] Read More here: nlowell2013.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/perfect-marriage/ […]ReplyCancel

  • April 17, 2014 - 5:51 am

    Sometimes I Have a Good Idea » Chefs Last Diet - […] being said, it’s great to pair flavors that enhance each other. This is something I’ve written about before, and I’ll expand a bit here, as what I’m referring to is more than just a good pairing […]ReplyCancel

  • April 27, 2015 - 5:55 am

    Blueberry Muffins Upgrade » Chefs Last Diet - […] you may know I like lemon with anything blueberry, so I added some lemon extract and lemon zest to the recipe. Lemon brightens anything up, but […]ReplyCancel

  • August 8, 2016 - 6:09 am

    Culinary Matchmaker » Chefs Last Diet - […] will surprise everyone when it works. I have never taken on matching up people but I love doing it with food.  This weekend I took on another matchmaking project. Two of my favorite summer crops are […]ReplyCancel

  • August 15, 2016 - 8:14 am

    Buckle Up Buttercup » Chefs Last Diet - […] fancy (and have it on hand).  Both my mother and grandmother loved candied ginger, and it goes well with any and everything […]ReplyCancel

  • September 26, 2016 - 6:49 am

    Does Browning Make a Difference? » Chefs Last Diet - […] dish is that my house smells like I imagine heaven smells. Cinnamon and tomato are one of those perfect combinations of flavor. This dish is one that would lend itself to brisket, chuck or any inexpensive cut of […]ReplyCancel

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