Peanut butter and jelly. Maple and bacon. Cinnamon and Sugar. Pumpkin and Spice. Flavors are just often better paired, and successful pairings seem to spread through recipes, parties, and restaurants like wildfire.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the International Food Bloggers Conference, and among the amazing tips and techniques I picked up during demos, panels, and events, I noticed a new popular pairing in the making. During a demo at the Sur La Table test kitchen, the chef made a delicious kale and walnut pesto. I had never had a pesto that wasn’t the traditional basil and pine nut mixture, and I loved it. (I’m actually looking forward to making it myself soon!) From there, I headed to a meet and greet with Lesley Stowe (the creator of Raincoast Crisps), and we found out about her newest product, Raincoast Flats. The starting flavors? Lemon & Fennel and Kale & Walnut. I spoke with Lesley a bit about her process of finding the right flavors and pairings for her products, and she told me that when you find the right mix, you just know. It’s perfect.
It seems Lesley and others have stumbled upon a new perfect pairing: Kale and walnut. I wouldn’t have thought of the combo myself, but I absolutely love it. If you want to try it yourself, start with Lesley’s new flatbreads. (I believe you’ll be able to find them in Whole Foods starting in October!) I’d top the Kale and Walnut flatbread with a lightly dressed salad, some pesto, or some hummus. Kale and walnut not your thing? The Lemon and Fennel flavor would be FANTASTIC with a nice olive tapenade.
What do you think about kale and walnut? And what are some of your favorite food/flavor pairings?
