Culinary Pairings

I'm not sure how perfect food pairings come about. How do chefs and other culinary geniuses just know when things go together? I guess that's what makes them chefs and me a teacher. Tonight I ate an absolutely delicious bite-sized version of one of the best pairings, chocolate and peanut butter. This one was a dark chocolate and organic peanut butter cup from Justin's. It was so good, it just melted in my mouth. I'm reminded of the old Reese's commercial. You know the one. The accidental sticking of a piece of chocolate in the peanut butter, or is it the peanut butter bumping into the chocolate. Here, you decide...

Did you catch those faces? Pop culture fans will recognize Robby Benson (Beauty and the Beast) and Donny Most (Happy Days), but clearly the two recognized the delicious marriage of chocolate and peanut butter. Did you know Harry Burnett Reese not only invented the delicious confection, but he is credited as the first to combine chocolate and peanut butter? You can read his story here.

So chocolate and peanut butter, peas and carrots (less than thrilling taste combination if you ask me, but love the color combination), what other pairings are your favorites? Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese has got to be up there. How about onions and garlic? Apples and cinnamon, bacon and eggs, the combinations are endless. But hands down, my two favorites are dark chocolate and peanut butter, and tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Share your favorites.