Food combinations that shouldn't taste good but do.

[RowanGolightly]

I have a friend who is working on ideas to plan a company dinner. She came up with the idea of "Things that shouldn't taste good, but they do" and of course was immediately put on the planning committee.

She's looking for ideas for appetizers, main dishes and desserts.

Examples:
Zucchini bread
Sweet potato (and pumpkin) pie
Strawberry rhubarb pie
Cocktail meatballs made with grape jelly and chili sauce
Bacon chocolate chip cookies

I've suggested to her my Texican Lasagne and my Bacon-Apple-Gruyere-Pecan fold-ups and some other friends have suggested some things as well.

But I wanted to post this here. Please note; this isn't just weird food combos that you like (my mother lived peanut butter and onion sandwiches *shudder*) but rather, ideas for recipes (or the recipes themselves) for food combinations that don't sound, from the title, as if they'd be good but that are.

Ok, go....

[BobB]

Are you sitting down? Click on this link and you'll find one of the longest threads in Chowhound history (over 1000 postings and counting), on this very topic: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/404973

[JungMann]

Watermelon and fried pork or salty cheese (terrific in Mediterranean and Thai salads)
Peanut butter and meat (Southeast Asian braised beef or noodle salads)
Peanut butter and pickles
Soda and ribs (Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper-based sauces)
Shrimp or scallops and vanilla
Chicken fingers on maple-iced cupcakes

[Duppie]

Peppermint toothpaste and a cold apple.

[sasaj1]

peanut butter, mayonaise and banana sandwich on Wonder bread with big glass of milk

[RowanGolightly]

Well, since this is a menu for a party, don't think that would work but it certainly sounds pretty bad!

My mother used to eat peanut butter and onion sandwiches. *shudder*

[eastofnevada]

Strawberries with balsamic vinegar and fresh ground pepper. Let it sit for 30 minutes, so very good.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Awesome, but even better over good quality vanilla ice cream!

[pinehurst]

If you can get a few decent ones---lightly salted/pepper cantaloupe sections, and of course prosciutto and melon. Watermelon pickles are a favorite in my house, too.

[Tripeler]

If pears are in season, pairing prosciutto and ripe pears is heavenly.

[critter101]

A thin slice of salami wrapped around a chunk of pickled watermelon rind

[RowanGolightly]

These are all great, thanks!

[INDIANRIVERFL]

Peanut buttter and yellow mustard open sandwiches. Toast the bread , quarter, and serve as apps. A great depression staple of my father's.

[RowanGolightly]

Huh, I'll have to try that one myself, thanks!

[nofunlatte]

Kalimotxo--red wine and coca cola. I believe it os Basque. Braised some short ribs in this combination and it was delicious!

[Sharuf]

Avocados and sardines make a very nice sandwich. Some sliced sourdough, a little mayo -- yum!

[RowanGolightly]

*gulp* I'll take your word for it. But then, I'm allergic to seafood.

But I'll pass the idea along, thank you.