I’m always excited about trying out new foods at anytime and anywhere. My discoveries usually happen when friends take me out for good food or when I decide to get creative in the kitchen. For the most part, I can look to the God of answers… GOOGLE for inspiration! Recently I’ve tried and tested some of these odd yet interesting flavour combinations. And for those I haven’t tasted, I can’t knock if I haven’t tried it.

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1. Strawberry & Basil

I sought after this flavour combination because I had leftover fruit. I chopped up some strawberries and basil leaves and put them into a glass jar. If you’re feeling fancy, add lemon slices or substitute with soda water! I recommend leaving it in the fridge overnight and the water will have a tint of pink. You’ll definitely taste stronger flavours too!

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2. Chili & Chocolate

To be honest with you, I found this combination hella weird! To each his own I presume. The subtle nuances of spiciness, sweetness and richness were present in a molten lava cake. If you’re feeling adventurous, definitely try this out at “Softcore” in Bandar Sunway!

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3. Coconut & Egg

Growing up, I’ve always thought kaya was a breakfast staple that everyone enjoyed for breakfast. Widely popular in South East Asia, it’s making its way to the other side of the world.  Westerners call it coconut jam. Sounds exotic don’t you think? The simplest way to enjoy this is to slab some on toast with some butter. If you’re feeling experimental, why not try making your own kaya at home?

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4. Ice cream & olive Oil

Okay, this is another weird discovery. The flavour combination didn’t make sense to me at all! It’s a fairly popular ice cream flavour in Italy. Good quality olive oil and vanilla extract are thrown in the mix with egg yolks, milk, cream and sugar. I randomly tried this out by mixing a teaspoon of olive oil with some vanilla ice cream. Verdict is it’s probably not my thing…. Or maybe I just didn’t do it right? (HAHA) Some reviews say that it’s refreshing and surprising not oily.

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5. Zucchini & lemon

Incorporating zucchini in your cooking is a great way to get vegetables in your diet. I’ve only had zucchini noodles once before with some pasta sauce. I’m eager to try out this combination. It’s usually baked into bread or cakes. Zucchini adds a soft and moist texture to the bread while lemon gives a little zing and freshness.

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6. Butter & Coffee

Who would have ever thought of blending butter in coffee?! I know it’s strange but apparently this concoction helps suppress appetite and makes one super energized. According to a friend that’s tried it, it tastes like some sort of espresso popcorn and it’s creamier than a latte. She suggests you should always melt the butter first instead of putting a chunk of it in your cup. Try this out if you need a little pick-me-up during a busy week.

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7. Lamb & Mint

There are times whenever I go to weddings, social gatherings or kenduri’s, roasted mutton or lamb is served for the feast. The gravy that comes with it is usually mint sauce. This pairing is common in Greek or Middle Eastern cooking. Lamb is typically very fatty and the mint’s acidity cuts through the fat. It gives a refreshing cleanser to the palate.

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8. Chicken Pineapple

If you’re craving something sweet and savoury, chicken and pineapple combination is your answer! No, you shouldn’t have to resort to Hawaiian pizza from Pizza Hut. Pineapple is common in Asian cuisines like teriyaki chicken and sweet sour chicken.

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9. Mango & Chili

As I scrambled my brain for more ideas, I remembered one of my favourites dishes from Nando’s, the “Angry Mango” Pita. My palate can easily recover from the spicy chicken marinade with the help of the mango’s sweetness. “Mango con chile” or Mango with chili powder is a common street food in Mexico. The mangoes are cut and shaped to resemble a pine cone or thin slices. Chili powder is dusted on top and lastly a sprinkling of salt to bring out the flavour. Maybe we could try this out in Malaysia too!

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10. Sambal & Strawberry

I don’t know about you, but this is intriguing indeed. Origins of this pairing hails from Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Uniquely innovative, salted fish is added into the mix with sweet local strawberries and chilies. Similarly to buah acar, it’s served with steamed rice or bread.  Check out “Abang Strawberry” on Google or Facebook if you’d like to purchase a jar of sambal strawberry!