Experimentation doesn’t always go wrong, though. One has to admit that while some food combinations might seem a little off, they aren’t actually that bad when you try them.
For example, there are many ice cream toppings that people swear by. One is ice cream topped with olive oil. Many people swear by this flavor combination. Apparently, sweet, rich, and creamy ice cream goes amazingly well with fruity, earthy, and the green flavor of olive oil. And this goes with pretty much any ice cream flavor, too! Sprinkle some Maldon salt on top, and you’ll have a very refined dessert.
Somehow that’s not the only odd ice cream pairing people love. Another one on the list is vanilla ice cream topped with soy sauce. Yes, it sounds very odd, but it does work. The sauce brings a saltiness and umami flavor to the ice cream, making it a very satisfying combo. Apparently, it also works with miso, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar.
If you wish to discover more interesting soy sauce combinations, there are some out there. For example, mixing a little bit of soy sauce into maple syrup before pouring it on your pancakes can, apparently, elevate the flavors. People also recommend trying to add a little bit of it to your coke or pour some on your cut-up mango. Yum?
Peanut butter is another, apparently, super versatile thing that goes well with pretty much anything. A combination that dates back all the way to the depression era is peanut butter and pickles. The sandwich that combines the two ingredients between two slices of bread has been called "a thrifty and unacknowledged American classic,” so it’s actually a staple.
That’s not the only weird peanut butter sandwich Americans might ask you to try. Apparently, the southerners are fond of a peanut butter and mayo combo, too. You can eat it just like that or add bacon, lettuce, or cheese to it. And don’t forget to gulp it all down with another southern classic called “farmer’s coke”—coke with peanuts.
While this combo might not pop into your mind when cooking, adding peanut butter to your instant ramen is another staple. It’s a play on the classic Japanese Tan Tan ramen in which you use sesame paste for the broth. The butter adds a pleasant nutty flavor and makes the dish extra creamy.
Another American classic that might make you instantly go “no, thank you!” is Kool-Aid pickles. You can either soak them in a prepared drink or just sprinkle the powder on top and enjoy it right away. Apparently, this flavor combination comes from Mississippi and tastes like fruity pickles. The food blogger Amy from House of Nash Eats described it as “a wild experience as your taste buds cycle through tasting dill pickle, then cherry Kool-Aid, then pickle again.” Delicious.
Another oddly sounding combination that actually compliment each other very well is avocado and chocolate. The reason why it works together is not because the flavors match so well, but because the textures go together. Chocolate flavor is so bold, it overpowers avocado while benefiting from its beautifully creamy texture. No wonder avocado is often used in chocolate mousses by vegans and those who wish to avoid eating raw eggs.
