Once upon a time, peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches were edgy and strange. Today, we live in an age of pushing boundaries and going where no chef has gone before.
The following food combinations are so wrong, they’re just right. From contradictory flavors to complimentary textures, when you see these strange bedfellows you’ll first raise an eyebrow, then you’ll raise your fork and be unable to put it back down.
Green Mango and Shoyu
In Hawaii, when something is insanely delicious, locals say it “broke da mout” (broke the mouth). And this food combo will “blow da mind.”
Hawaiians take a couple unripe green mangoes (the hard, firm ones that have a crunch just like an apple) and chop them up before marinating them in one cup of soy sauce, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and a pinch of black pepper. It’s crunchy, sour, sweet, and spicy all at once.
Avocado and Chocolate
It’s time to guac and roll. This strange mix pairs ripe avocados blended with dark chocolate in a food processor. It tastes surprisingly sinful for such a healthy vegan treat that’s rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats.
Pizza and Nutella
Dessert first? How about all at once? No matter how you slice it, you’ll get confused looks with this combo.
Smear Nutella on your favorite pizza. It goes especially well with cheese pizza (extra cheese, of course) or Hawaiian pizza (the pineapple really makes the Nutella pop).
Coke and Red Wine
Stay classy yet trashy. The bubbles and coke flavor turn your glass of red wine into something akin to a rose sangria. Don’t knock it until you knock one back.
Peanut Butter on Burgers
It doesn’t matter what toppings you’ve got on your burger: Peanut butter makes it all taste even better. The creamy richness of the PB goes well with red meat, bacon, cheese, and whatever else you stuff in there.
Dark Chocolate and Beets
The next time you’re feeling sexy and romantic, forget dark chocolate and strawberries. Swap out the fruit for diced cooked beets. The sweetness of the vegetable pairs well with the chocolate’s bitterness and really brings out a delicious earthiness.
Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich
The PB&P was invented during the Great Depression, and today you might find it at a great concession stand. The sweet stickiness of the peanut butter clashes with the tart sharpness of the pickles for an explosion of conflicting deliciousness.
Spicy Cheetos with Cream Cheese Dip
You’ll have flaming lips after this chip-and-dip mix-up. People are stuffing sandwiches and bagels with crushed spicy Cheetos and a layer of cream cheese. Or you can choose to just scoop the cream cheese with your Cheetos.
Mangoes and Sriracha
Turn the heat up on this tropical snack. Get a super ripe mango and drizzle it with your favorite hot sauce. The peppery bite makes the mango taste all the sweeter.
Forget jelly! How about mango and sriracha @SFSaltCompany on your peanut butter toast???? pic.twitter.com/hjjZOt6qfH
— Olga Berman?? (@MangoTomato) December 28, 2017
Oreos and OJ
Got milk? Who cares. The next time you’re enjoying classic Oreo cookies, blow up stereotypes and dip it in orange juice instead of milk. Every bite will taste like a chocolate orange creamsicle.
Salty Chips and Vanilla Ice Cream
Get ready for a sweet and salty surprise! Grab the saltiest chips you can find and use them to scoop up plain vanilla ice cream. It’s like a poor man’s version of salted caramel. You can also try salty chips with whipped cream.
Popcorn and Cereal Milk
While some cereals snap, crackle, and pop, go for the OG with freshly popped popcorn dumped into a bowl of milk. It’s part of a totally unbalanced breakfast. Or twist it up further by mixing caramel or chocolate covered popcorn with milk, chocolate milk, or vanilla ice cream.
Broccoli and Cheese Cheetos
Traditional broccoli drenched in melted cheddar is too … healthy. Make it more fun with an extra crunch and a pile of artificial flavors and colors by using smashed Cheetos instead of cheese.
Popcorn and Marshmallows
This remix of Lucky Charms is magically delicious. Toss butter popcorn with mini marshmallows. The sweet and salty combination is like every wish come true.
Strawberries and Balsamic Vinegar
Pucker up with this vinegar-infused delight. Instead of dipping fresh whole strawberries in sugar like a normal person, go crazy by drizzling the fruit with balsamic vinegar. The molasses-like sweetness of the vinegar, plus its inherent sharpness, intensifies the strawberry flavors.
Fish sticks and custard
Sure, ranch sauce or more conventional dips are great with breaded fish sticks or chicken fingers, but it’s time to give convention the finger. Custard sauce, the type used to make dessert, is a rich and sweet add-on for all your favorite fried foods.
Apple Pie and Melted Cheese
Smother a slice of apple pie with gobs of melted cheddar cheese, which adds a creamy richness to an already decadent dessert. Don’t forget to add your usual scoop of ice cream, too.
Bananas and Bacon
Everything about this combination shouldn’t work, and that’s why it’s amazing. The crunch of bacon and the creamy texture of bananas. The salty fattiness of the meat with the sweetness of the fruit. Enjoy it alone or on top of waffles or pancakes. For added WOW, caramelize onions in the oven and throw them on top.
Salt, Pepper and Apples
Chop up some crisp Gala apples and sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and sea salt on them. The spices pull the crunchy sweetness out of the fruit. You can also try this with ripe mango or papaya slices for a more intense experience.
Hot Sauce on Ice Cream
The heat of the hot sauce with the coolness of the ice cream will confuse your palate. Go crazy with the flavor combinations. Try a really bold hot sauce, like one infused with jalapenos, garlic or other spices, with a nice calm ice cream flavor, like mint or vanilla. Or pair a wacky ice cream flavor, like cookies ‘n’ cream, with a basic hot sauce, like Frank’s.