Have you ever prepared a new dish, and been surprised at how well two flavors paired up?
Valentine’s Day is a poignant reminder of the power of a perfect match.
I’ve been poring over a new book, called The Flavor Bible. It lists foods alphabetically, and gives every conceivable flavor pairing for each. For instance, did you know mangoes and oranges compliment chicken? Or that chocolate and coffee compliment beef?

The award-winning authors Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg have been married to each other and worked together for more than 20 years.
They literally wrote the book on flavor matchmaking. The Flavor Bible is as useful to anyone who cooks as a thesaurus is to anyone who writes: It’s a groundbreaking guide to hundreds of ingredients, and the herbs, spices and other seasonings that are its “soulmates.”
Available in bookstores, or from Amazon.com, the book is $35, but it is big and encyclopaedic. I can’t put it down. Except when I’m in the kitchen, trying out the improvisations suggested in the book.