My kitchen musings

Food Pairing Rules – Stick to these basic rules and you can never go too far wrong (I hope!!)

Certain foods pair better with others. I use my pairing notes to inspire new recipes and to ensure that I (hopefully!) never go too far wrong.

Pork with:

• Herbs -Thyme, tarragon, rosemary, sage, oregano, marjoram, parsley; capers
• Veg- Mushrooms
• Fruit – Apples, pears, oranges, prunes, rhubarb;
• Booze – calvados, cider, perry, Madeira, brandy
• Condiments- Mustard; cream; creme fraiche; sour cream
• Ideas: Pork with mustard and lemon; with rosemary and garlic; pork with apples and sage

Chicken with:

• Herbs – Tarragon, thyme, bay, rosemary, parsley, oregano/ marjoram
• Veg – Onions; shallots; garlic; mushrooms; tomatoes; fennel; peas
• Fruit – Lemons, plums, nectarines/ peaches, mango, papaya, oranges
• Booze – White wine, brandy, pernod, whiskey; Marsala Wine; Madeira
• Other -Bacon
• Condiments- Cream; creme fraiche; butter, honey; mustard; yoghurt; balsamic vinegar

Duck with:

• Herbs – Oregano, rosemary, thyme, star anise, cinnamon, five spice
• Fruit – Plums, cherries, apples, figs, blackberries
• Veg- Shallots, pak choi
• Condiments -Honey
• Booze- Red Wine; Port; Madeira

Partridge

• Herbs – Juniper; Bay
• Fruit – Blackberries
• Veg- Kale;
• Condiments -Bread Sauce; Red currant jelly
• Booze- Red Wine; Port; Madeira

Lamb with:

• Herbs – Rosemary, thyme, mint; ca
• Veg – Onions;
• Fruit – Apricots
• Booze – Red Wine
• Condiments- Mint Sauce; Capers;
• Other- Anchovies; Salsa Verde

Beef With:

• Herbs – Sage; Bay Leaves; Star Anise; Thyme
• Veg – Mushrooms;
• Fruit – Prunes
• Booze – Red wine, Marsala Wine; Madeira
• Condiments- Mustard, Horseradish;
• Other- Salsa Verde

Seabass:

• Herbs – Basil
• Veg – Fennel; Peppers; Chillies; Tomatoes
• Fruit – Oranges; Lemons; Grapefruit
• Booze – White wine,
• Condiments- Mustard, Horseradish
• Other

 

Swordfish:

• Herbs -Mint
• Veg – Aubergine
• Fruit – Kiwi
• Booze –
• Condiments-
• Other

Tuna:

• Herbs – cumin
• Veg – Acacado, Chillies,
• Fruit -Lemon
• Booze –
• Condiments-
• Other- Salsa Verde

Fish with fennel

Cod with:

• Herbs -Bay
• Veg -Puy Lentils; Rocket; Tomatoes;
• Fruit –
• Booze –
• Condiments-Capers
• Other -Bacon/ Pancetta

Monkfish with:

• Herbs – Sage
• Veg –
• Fruit –
• Booze –
• Condiments-
• Other -Parma Ham

Hake with onions, samphire, white wine and butter

 

Swordfish with fennel and chillies

 

Swordfish with mint

Peas- bacon- white wine

Partridge with:

Herbs: bay, thyme

Juniper berries

Blackberries

Madeira

Bacon

 

Venison with:

Herbs: bay, thyme

Juniper berries

Blackberries; blueberries

Madeira, red wine

Shallots

 

Strawberries and pepper

Strawberries and basil

Strawberreis and mint

 

Mint with:

Peas;

Broad beans;

Lamb;

Strawberries