Dishes With Weirdly Delicious Flavor Combos

The world of food is chocked full of classic food pairings: peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, strawberry and rhubarb — the list goes on. They’re the celebrity couples of the culinary world, but there are a whole lot of lesser-known flavor combos just waiting to be tasted. It’s time to step outside your comfort zone and prepare your tastebuds for the uncharted shores of deliciousness!

Chocolate and Avocado: Creamy Vegan Mousse

You might not suspect it, but this is a dream team. The strong flavor of chocolate takes control of this dish while the avocado adds a creamy consistency that simply can’t be beat.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
• 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoon honey
• Pinch of salt
• Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Microwave chocolate chips in a bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring together until melted.
2. Add all other ingredients and mix together. Adjust coconut milk until you get your desired consistency.
3. Refrigerate in an airtight container until chilled.Garnish with mint and enjoy with friends!

Beef and Pomegranate: Sweet and Savory Steak Glaze 

The sweet yet sour nature of pomegranate gives it an almost universal pairability. When you combine that with the sultry flavor of red meat, the only possible outcome is satisfaction.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 pounds top sirloin steak
• Coarsely ground peppercorn mélange
• Salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 4 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, divided

Instructions:

1. Liberally sprinkle the steak with coarsely ground peppercorn mélange and salt.
2. Sprinkle half of your chopped rosemary on each side of the steak.
3. Heat the olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Place steak in skillet and cook to your preference. Transfer to plate.
5. Combine pomegranate juice, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar in skillet.
6. Reduce to a 1/4 cup glaze, stirring occasionally. Season glaze to taste with salt.
7. Slice steak and drizzle glaze generously around steak for dipping.
8. Enjoy your newfound favorite dish.

Red Wine and Peppermint: Refined and Refreshing Sipper (21+)

Usually, dark chocolate gets all the attention when it comes to red wine accompaniment. Well no longer! There’s just something special about that added zip fresh mint brings to a robust red wine.

Ingredients:

• 5 ounces red wine (preferably cabernet sauvignon or merlot)
• 1 ounce lemon/lime soda water
• Small handful of mint leaves
• Lime juice, salt and lime to garnish

Instructions:

1. Dip rim of highball glass in lime juice and coat with salt.
2. Muddle mint at the bottom of the glass.
3. Add in red wine and lemon/lime soda water, stirring vigorously.
4. Garnish rim with lime.
5. Enjoy every last sip. No matter how amazing it tastes, please drink responsibly.

Grape Jelly and Broccoli: Tasty Toast Topper

Move over peanut butter — jelly has a new best friend! And that friend’s name is broccoli. Go ahead and scoff, but you’ll change your mind once you try this deceptively delicious recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons grape jelly
• 1 cup minced broccoli
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Sliced sourdough bread

Instructions:

1. Combine grape jelly, minced broccoli and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.
2. Toast sourdough bread.
3. Spread a healthy spoonful of this dense mixture on top of bread.
4. Take your tastebuds on an unforgettable trip!

Tuna and Vanilla: The Casserole to End All Casseroles

OK — just bare with us here. It sounds insane, but the powerful flavors of tuna and vanilla were bound to meet at some point. And thank goodness they did because they’re the basis for this incredible casserole that will surely leave you wanting another helping!

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cans albacore tuna
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup diced bell peppers
• 1/3 cup diced white onion
• 2 cups boiled macaroni
• 4 ounces cream of mushroom soup
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Open and drain tuna.
2. In a large bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, vanilla extract, macaroni, mushroom soup and sugar.
3. Warm a small amount of olive oil in a skillet and add in bell peppers and onion. Cook for about 6-7 minutes until seared.
4. Add bell peppers and onions to bowl. Mix thoroughly.
5. In a large baking dish, add in mixture and spread evenly.
6. Top with breadcrumbs.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until bubbling occurs and breadcrumbs are golden brown.
8. Wait to cool, and then take your first bite. We bet it will be a transcendent experience of pure joy and bewilderment that something can taste this ridiculously good.

Happy April Fools’ Day!

Only the first two recipes are legitimate dishes worth attempting — the last three are purposefully clashing combos that will probably be disappointing and frankly a little gross. Thanks for humoring us and we hope you had a good laugh! But seriously, please don’t attempt a vanilla tuna casserole — nobody deserves that.