Odd Food Combos That Surprisingly Taste Good

Oddly Delicious: Food Combos That Delight and Amaze

Saleena Sharp - Homemaker Blog
NicheLess
5 min readApr 17, 2024

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Photo by Kimia Zarifi on Unsplash

Working in a public restaurant, I have been asked to cook some very odd food combinations! We all have different taste buds this is true, but when you hear some of these, it really shows how different they can be!

Aside from the public, being a bonus mom and aunt to young children exploring their way through food, you run into some…… odd pairings LOL! And somehow, it’s always the pickiest kid that likes the crazy stuff! What is that??

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The funny thing about the two situations is when you are cooking for the public you can politely question the crazy. With your kids, you’re just happy they are eating so you encourage them and silently pray they don’t ask you to try it LOL!

Here are some pairings our kids like:

  • My nephew loves glazed donuts dipped in cottage cheese!
  • Our middle son likes cucumbers and ketchup!
  • Macaroni and cheese with A1 sauce
  • Cheeze-Itz dipped in yogurt
  • Grapes dipped in ketchup
  • Cheese puffs dipped in ketchup
  • I like sour cream and onion chips dipped in vanilla ice cream

From the public:

  • Peanut butter on their hotdog
  • Cottage cheese on their hotdog
  • Chili soup (like with beans and broth) on their burger — this one grosses me out mainly just because their bun gets soggy.
  • Ice cream and buffalo sauce
  • Cottage cheese and pineapple
  • Chocolate ice cream with mint and butterscotch toppings
  • Sunny side-up eggs with Cool Whip on top

To each their own! I know there are a billion more combinations, I just listed a few though. If this is your jam, have at it friends! I’m simply listing the ones that are odd to me! Read with me to discover more and some culinary science behind it!

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Photo by Carissa Gan on Unsplash

Why Odd Pairings Work

It’s all about balance. Often, foods with contrasting flavors can complement each other in a way that enhances both. Think of it as a culinary yin and yang — salty meets sweet, tangy meets creamy — each bringing out the best in the other.

Top Odd Food Combinations

From the internet, here are some of the most surprisingly delightful pairings that you might not have thought to try but definitely should:

1. Peanut Butter and Bacon: The creamy nuttiness of peanut butter perfectly complements the crispy, smoky flavor of bacon.
2. Olive Oil and Ice Cream: A drizzle of good quality olive oil over vanilla ice cream, perhaps with a sprinkle of sea salt, can elevate your dessert to a new level of gourmet.
3. Chili and Chocolate: The heat of chili and the richness of chocolate combine to create a complex flavor profile that’s both exotic and comforting.
4. Sour Cream and Onion Chips with Vanilla Ice Cream: Just like you mentioned, the tangy crunch of the chips dipped in creamy, sweet vanilla ice cream creates a fun and whimsical treat.
5. Watermelon and Feta Cheese: The sweet and juicy watermelon contrasted with salty, tangy feta cheese is a refreshing and satisfying combination.

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Recipes Featuring Unlikely Pairings

Now, let’s put these principles into practice with some fun recipes that utilize our favorite odd combinations.

Peanut Butter Bacon Sandwiches

Ingredients:
- Whole grain bread
- Creamy peanut butter
- Crisp bacon strips
- Optional: Banana slices or honey

Instructions:
1. Toast the bread to your liking.
2. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter on one slice of bread.
3. Layer the crispy bacon strips (and banana or a drizzle of honey, if using) on top of the peanut butter.
4. Top with the second slice of bread, cut in half, and enjoy the burst of flavors.

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash

Chili Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust based on your heat preference)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
1. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.
2. Mix in the chili powder and let cool slightly.
3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with vanilla and sugar until it forms soft peaks.
4. Fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture until well combined.
5. Spoon into serving dishes and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Exploring the world of odd food combinations is not just about creating new flavors but also about breaking the mold and discovering your own tastes. We all have our quirks of what we love and that is great! If you think about it, all recipes come from someone saying “I wonder what this tastes like?” So to keep the kitchen alive and the cookbooks thick, we have to continue to try new things! Happy Eating everyone!

If you enjoyed it please give me a few claps or a comment on what you thought! Thank you so much for reading!

For more advice on budget-friendly dinner ideas, dessert recipes, meal plans, and the myriad of health benefits offered by natural foods, don’t forget to follow Homemaker Recipes. I’m here to help busy moms, health enthusiasts, and everyone in between discover the joys and benefits of home cooking! Home is where the best things are made!

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Saleena Sharp - Homemaker Blog
NicheLess

Wife & bonus mom! Helping you learn how to cook, meal plan, give endless recipes, and heal your family with naturally remedies! Helping make your house a home!