What's for Dinner, Thurs., April 20, 2023

[NJCher]

11. just out of curiosity

I checked my Flavor Bible by Karen Page to see what she says basil goes with. You probably know about this cooking reference, but for those who don't, it's an extensive listing of what flavor goes with what other flavors.

Here's what it says about basil. I boldfaced the ones that are pertinent to the flavor combos of basil with the ingredients in Caesar dressing (parmesan, mostly). I was surprised to see such an extensive listing:

snip

BASIL
(See also Basil, Thai, and Lemon Basil)

Season: summer

Taste: sweet

Weight: light, soft-leaved

Volume: mild–moderate

Tips: Add just before serving. Use to add a note of freshness to a dish.

apricots

Asian cuisine

beans: green, white

bell peppers, esp. red, roasted

berries

blueberries

breads

broccoli

Cambodian cuisine

capers

carrots

CHEESE: feta, goat, MOZZARELLA, PARMESAN, PECORINO, RICOTTA

chicken

chile peppers

chives

chocolate, white

cilantro

cinnamon

coconut milk

corn

crab

cream and ice cream

cucumber

custards

duck

eggplant

EGGS AND EGG DISHES (e.g., omelets)

fennel

fish, esp. grilled or poached

French cuisine

*GARLIC

ginger, fresh

honey

ITALIAN CUISINE

lamb

lemon, juice

lemon verbena

lime, juice

liver

marjoram

meats

Mediterranean cuisine

mint

mussels

mustard: powder, seeds

nectarines

OLIVE OIL

olives

onions

orange

oregano

Parmesan cheese

parsley, flat-leaf

PASTA DISHES AND SAUCES

peaches

peas

pepper: black, white

PESTO (key ingredient)

pineapple

pine nuts

pizza

pork

potatoes

poultry

rabbit

raspberries

rice

rosemary

salads and salad dressings

salmon

salt: kosher, sea

sauces

scallops

sea bass

shellfish

shrimp

soups, esp. Asian, bean, chowder, vegetable

soy sauce

spinach

squash, summer

summer vegetables

Thai cuisine (e.g., green curries)

thyme

*TOMATOES and tomato sauces

tuna

vanilla

veal

vegetables, esp. summer

Vietnamese cuisine

vinaigrettes

vinegar: balsamic, sherry

watermelon

ZUCCHINI

AVOID

tarragon

Flavor Affinities

basil + coconut + curry

basil + garlic + olive oil + salt

basil + garlic + olive oil + Parmesan cheese + pine nuts

basil + hamachi tuna + tomatoes + watermelon

basil + lemon + vanilla

basil + mozzarella cheese + tomatoes

basil + olive oil + Parmesan cheese

snip

The RG can taste in his head. I don't have that gift, so that's why I'm a recipe cook and also why if I have any question when I make up a recipe on my own, I will ask him. If he's not around, I do an internet search to see if others have combined the flavors.

Or, of course, check The Flavor Bible.