Friday, January 8, 2010

Magic Ingredients



Today I was eating some leftovers from dinner out last night, and I was really relishing the flavors. And it occured to me, there are certain ingredients that, when I see them listed on the menu together, will almost assuredly mean I will chose that dish and love it. They are:


capers

mushrooms

sun-dried tomatoes

spinach

goat cheese

pine nuts

pecans

roasted red peppers

fresh mozerella

polenta

mustard

green or calamata olives


I know, they're all kind of weird. But I like strong flavors. And I like everything from pasta to chicken to sea food if it's made with the above ingredients in the right combination.


What about you? Are there any ingredients you just love love love to find on the menu?

20 comments:

Jules AF said...

So. Much. Dairy. I think I just died thinking about how sick those ingredients would make me.

Hmm I love cilantro. I can't think of any other flavors that really make me excited for a meal.

Kristina P. said...

Yes! But minus the capers. I am all over mushrooms and cheeses and nuts.

Omgirl said...

I only listed 2 dairy!
( but I COULD have listed every cheese that exists-aside from blue- plus sour cream, cream cheese, yogurt and a few more. Dairy is probably my fav food group!)

Hildie said...

I love capers. And anything lemon.

Not a big fan of tomatoes.

Anonymous said...

Your list sounds great. You forgot cream cheese, sweetened condensed mile, sour cream, brown sugar, butter, or whatever you decide to put in your cheesecake.

carolyn said...

Hey, how did you get my taste buds? Love all those ingredients too!

Unknown said...

Cheese!!!!

Jaime Haney said...

yours are all very gourmet sounding.

I like bbq sauce and teriyaki sauces, etc., and dishes with fruit in them like pineapple and mandarin oranges, pine nuts. I just made myself salivate!

Lia said...

I'm like you and will eat anything, at lest once any way.

But who ever thought that fish any fish and mushrooms go together deserves a slap. Both are really nice but together they are horrid, *shudders*
much love
Lia

kado! said...

I'm right with you minus the capers...well..I guess I've never had them!

..and now I have to take the dairy off the list since I'm a Vegan...but back in the day..dump some FETA on and call it heaven!!!!

I put mushrooms in EVERYTHING!!! seriously! love them!

Mia said...

Ok first off mushrooms, olives, capers, and dried tomatoes make me ill. After that I can get behind your entire list! I like strong flavors too, including mold I mean blue cheese (and lots of others).

Shawn said...

I love, love, love asparagus! And any cheese! And green olives, and mild fish. And....food! Thats my problem---I love food!

rae said...

I agree with all the others that said cheese. Because that was the only thing I wanted to add to your list. Yummers.

Unknown said...

I gave you an award! Stop by and claim it sucker.

Chelsea said...

Your list is making me hungry. I'm not a fan of capers or olives, but aside from those, bring it on!

Also on my list would be onions. I think onions are one of the most underrated foods ever. There was an awesome little restaurant near us that made the best pasta I have ever tasted - fusili pasta with caramelized onions, pine nuts, marinated chicken, and goat cheese. SO GOOD. Unfortunately they closed down, so I can only taste it in my dreams.

Financial Aid for College said...

PESTO!!!!!

mCat said...

Capers, shallots, garlic, onion.

Those will get me EVERY time

alex dumas said...

Does chocolate count?
I'm kidding. I eat almost anything. Except olives.

Plain Jame said...

I love cake.

Ok, back to ingredients because this is really strange: I ate at Ruth's Diner for the first time ever Saturday and I had the Jamaican Chicken.
Heaven.

It had jerk seasoning on the grilled chicken breast, diced tomatoes, squash, pinapple, and BANANAS.
It was the coolest thing I've eaten in a long time - I LOVED it.

tiburon said...

I like seeing gruyere cheese. That is some yummy cheese. And pine nuts - especially if they are roasted. Polenta and capers can suck it.