The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America’s Most Imaginative Chefs by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page
The book consists of hundreds of ingredients along with other ingredients to pair them with, according to a survey of American chefs. In this very brief guide, we’re sharing ingredients you’ll find in your CSA! And we’re only including some pairings, those that are very highly recommended. We suggest you check out the book for more ideas!
Beets
top level: butter, cheese (esp goat, parmesan, roquefort, salty), lemon, dijon mustard, olive oil, orange (juice and zest), black pepper, white pepper, salt, shallots, tarragon, balsamic vinegar, cider vinegar, walnuts and walnut oil
also great with: apples, basil, caraway seeds, chervil, dill, garlic, honey, horseradish, mint, onions, parsley, pistachios, sour cream, brown sugar, yogurt
combinations to try:
beets + chives + orange + tarragon
beets + dill + sour cream
beets + goat cheese + walnuts
beets + mint + yogurt
beets + potatoes + balsamic vinegar
Cabbage
top level: bacon, caraway seeds, red onions, vinegar
also great with: apples and apple cider, butter, carrots, garlic, ginger, juniper berries, mayonnaise, mustard, black pepper, white pepper, pork, potatoes, rice, salt, sour cream, sugar, thyme
Carrots
top level: butter, ginger, lemon juice, maple syrup, orange juice, parsley, sugar
also great with: chervil, chile peppers, cinnamon, coriander/cilantro, cream, cumin, dill, honey, lime juice, mint, parsnips, salt, tarragon, thyme
combinations to try:
carrots + celery + onions (aka mirepoix)
carrots + cilantro + lime
carrots + dill + orange
carrots + olive oil + turnips
Cauliflower
top level: cheese, cream/milk, garlic, onions, black pepper, white pepper, salt
also great with: anchovies, bread crumbs, butter, chili sauce, curry powder, dill, lemon, mint, red potatoes
combinations to try:
cauliflower + cilantro + cloves + cumin + turmeric
cauliflower + curry + apple
cauliflower + garlic + mint + pasta
Corn
top level: basil, bell peppers, butter, chile peppers, cream, garlic, mushrooms, onions, black pepper, white pepper, salt, chicken stock/broth
also great with: bacon, cayenne, celery, cheddar cheese, chives, cilantro, crab, dill, lime juice, potatoes, sugar, thyme, tomatoes, cider vinegar, white wine vinegar
combinations to try:
corn + bell pepper + jalapeño + cilantro + tarragon
corn + cayenne + lime + salt
corn + cilantro + shrimp
Cucumbers
top level: dill, garlic, mint, onions, vinegar, yogurt
also great with: chile peppers, cilantro, lemon juice, parsley, black pepper, white pepper, salmon, salt, sugar, tomatoes
combinations to try:
cucumber + chile peppers + mint + yogurt
cucumber + cilantro + ginger + sugar + rice vinegar
cucumber + dill + red onion + sour cream + vinegar
cucumber + garlic + mint + yogurt
cucumber + jalapeño + dill + onion
Greens, in general
top level: cheese, garlic, vinegar (balsamic, red wine)
also great with: bacon, scallions, potatoes (esp new and/or red)
Greens: Bok Choy
great with: ginger, rice, sesame oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce
Greens: Collard Greens
great with: yellow onion, salt, salt pork
Greens: Kale
top level: garlic
also great with: onions (yellow), red pepper flakes, salt, chicken stock/broth, thyme
combinations to try:
kale + garlic + olive oil + red wine vinegar
kale + onions + salt + smoked sausage
Greens: Mustard Greens
combinations to try:
mustard greens + bacon + onions
mustard greens + garlic + olive oil + prosciutto
Greens: Spinach
top level: butter, cheese, cream/milk, garlic, nutmeg, black pepper, white pepper, salt, sesame seeds, vinegar
also great with: dill, eggs (hard-boiled), lemon juice, lovage, mushrooms (esp shiitake), Dijon mustard, sweet onions, pine nuts, potatoes, raisins, shallots, sorrel, soy sauce, sugar, walnuts
combinations to try:
spinach + chives + goat cheese + mascarpone
spinach + feta cheese + lemon juice + oregano
spinach + garlic + mushrooms
Peppers: Bell
top level: basil, cheese (esp goat, mozzarella, Parmesan), garlic, onions (esp red or yellow), thyme, tomatoes, vinegar
also great with: chile peppers, eggplant, lemon juice, parsley, black pepper, red potatoes, rice, salt, zucchini
combinations to try:
bell peppers + basil + currants + garlic + pint nuts + sherry vinegar
bell peppers + garlic + olive oil + onion + thyme + zucchini
Peppers: Chile/ Hot Peppers
top level: beans (esp black, pinto), cilantro, garlic, ginger, lime juice,
also great with: coconut and coconut milk, corn, fish sauce, lemongrass, rice, tomatoes and tomato sauces, vinegar (balsamic, red wine, sherry)
combination to try:
chile peppers + cilantro + lime
Radishes
top level: butter, sea salt, vinegar
also great with: chives, cream cheese, lemon, mint, parsley, pepper, scallions, thyme
Summer Squash
great with: basil, cheese, chile peppers, chives, garlic, marjoram, onions, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme
Tomatoes
top level: basil (lemon, purple), bell peppers, cheese (esp blue, goat, Gorgonzola, mozzarella, Parmesan, pecorino), garlic, lemon, onions, black pepper, white pepper, salt, thyme, vinegar
also great with: bay leaf, chile peppers, chives, cilantro, cucumbers, fennel, marjoram, mint, parsley, shallots, sugar, watermelon
combinations to try:
tomato + basil + chervil + garlic + tarragon
tomato + basil + oregano + thyme
tomato + chile peppers + garlic + onions
tomato + fennel + Gorgonzola cheese
Turnips
great with: butter, cream, potatoes, salt, thyme