2010 Top Flavor Pairings

McCormick - of herb and spices fame - has forecasted the 2010 top flavor pairings.

1. Roasted ginger and rhubarb - "Layering spicy and sour with a powerful tang." I've only had rhubard in pies and quite honestly never thought rhubarb worth the pastry surrounding it. However in my new mode of finding a way to love every fruit and vegetable, I am going to try it. If you have a recipe send it along.
   
2. Thai basil and watermelon - "A colorful study in contrasts with a sweet, refreshing balance." I used to love salt on my watermelon, what a disgrace. No longer bringing the salt shaker to the watermelon feasts, I'm eager to try basil in the upcoming summer months.
   
3. Caraway and bitter greens - "An unmistakable spice tames the bitter bit of bold greens." Unfortunately I'm not sure what they mean by bitter greens, last night I did try some caraway with some collard greens and liked it.


4. Bay leaves and preserved lemon - "Slowly coaxed flavor - worth the wait - an aromatic mix of bitter, salty-tart and bright." Not sure what to make of this, then I remembered it's McCormick making the forecast and I have a feeling they've got a brand-new spice on your grocery store's spice aisle called preserved lemon. That said, I do want to dust off my bay leaves jar and try, what I consider my mother's spice, on something. Not a lemon person, I'm going to try it with something lime.


5. Almond and Ale - "The bittersweet character of both ingredients makes a "congenial, cozy and hearty match." If I'm drinking beer (ale to the McCormick people), I'm not adding almond to it. Beer is reserved it for those hot summer days when I've been working out in the yard, and I'm just showered and find myself resting on my patio looking at my just completed work.


6. Turmeric and vine-ripened tomatoes - "Eathy and naturally sweet, this colorful, healthful blend is always in season" Gotta love the marketing jibe. 'Vine-ripened' to me means locally picked and even in Florida tomatoes aren't grown year-round (summer's too hot for them). Anyway, this is a nice combo as my Florida tomatoes proved last night.


7. Pumpkin pie spice and coconut milk - "This lush, warm pairing reconnects with its tropical roots" The McCormick marketing person should watch her words. I get this because I know calabaza, a tropical pumpkin, and can see coconut milk and a 'pumpkin' spice can do the aforementioned reconnection with the tropics.


8. Roasted Cumin and Chickpeas - "This globetrotting Mediterranean duet delivers warm, eathy flavor harmonies."


9. Chives and fish sauce - "Savory fusion of French and Asian cuisines."

Source: The Shelby Report 2/10