By Molly Moss
From artfiles.art.com
At Oberlin, we have a tendency to condemn hypocrisy. However, when it comes to food, contradictory flavors can give your meal the not-quite-sweet, not-quite-savory smack essential to a well-seasoned meal.
They are the science behind the genius of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the concept that popularized chocolate covered pretzels, and the logic behind movie-goers’ decision to pour milk duds into their grease-stained bag of buttery goodness.
So these Stevie-appropriate recipes are my ode to the sweet and salty, the hot and the sour, and all the culinary contrasts that contrast popular belief.
1. Salted chocolate ice cream.
During the past year, salted chocolate has been the talk of the culinary community. Now, just about anyone can walk into a Starbucks a buy a Fleur De Sel dark chocolate bar. While Stevie does not fill our saltshakers with the finest Fleur De Sel salt from the coasts of Brittany, the concept behind such a delicacy is easy to emulate. However, people often misunderstand the magic of salt. Salt does not necessarily make things salty. Instead, salt forces the mouth to salivate, and thus intensifies the flavors of whatever it accompanies. So, by adding a few generous shakes of salt to chocolate or caramel ice cream, you can make a second-rate cream dish mouthwatering—literally.
2. Apple Butter and Chipotle Mayo on a sandwich.
I know, it sounds strange. But after a brief stint working the Dascomb sandwich bar and using my breaks to experiment with the practically untouched, brownish almost-liquid called “apple butter,” I discovered that the rule of contradictions applies to condiments too. It is my personal belief that chipotle mayo, the much talked about king of Oberlin condiments, can accompany just about any lunch-time food. If you stuff your sandwich with smoked ham and Swiss cheese, the sweetness of the apple butter will perfectly calm the spiciness of the chipotle mayo. The result mimics the flavors of apple smoked ham—an effortlessly classic combination that will have you feeling nostalgic for holiday dinners back home.
3. Last resort vending machine masterpiece.
It’s 3:00 in the morning, Agave has been closed for over an hour, and you absolutely need (nudge nudge, wink wink) something salty or sweet to silence your stomach’s incessant grumbling. The vending machine is never ideal for creating salty-sweet masterpieces, but sometimes it is necessary. So grab two dollars and buy a bag of pretzels and a package of Reese’s. Now you have yourself deconstructed chocolate covered pretzels. The peanut butter of the Reese’s adds even more mouthwatering salty-sweetness.
Over the break, I relished in the ability to raid a fridge filled with not-so-square meats, cheeses, breads, and produce. Because of this continuous flow of fresh flavor, I decided to try to find all the obscure flavors that taste good together. Turns out, it was easier to figure out what does not taste good together—for I found that absolute atrocities were quite rare. So, I urge you all to be the ultra-creative Obies I know you are and allow your food to contradict itself.
i couldn’t agree more with this article. have you ever tried putting vinegar on your favorite fruit, like oranges or apples? it has a similar effect. your writing is lovely, miss moss.
p.s. can i go to the f+l party free of charge now? hopefully cuz it sounds rad.
Yup, you’re on the guest list now.
Wouldn’t have thought about salt on chocolate ice cream. but it does make sense. I tend to add just a teeny bit of salt to most things (especially olive oil + vinegar on my salad) to make things taste more/better.
(also yayyyy guest list.)
Contradictory Flavors are the shit. Chocolate and Brie paninis are my favorite things in the world. Go molly! yay!
also guest list waddup
It’s so cool that you wrote this Molly. I actually should read this more often. I like to put olive oil and salt on vanilla ice cream. It’s legit. now im thinking about it a lot. I also think about milk shakes and dipping french fries in the milkshakes..i also might be low key lactose intolerant…ugh…
i too would like to be put on the guestlist.
-lols
Sounds awesome. Thanks for the info. Learned a great deal.
Love the salted chocolate ice cream.
You should also try honey mustard with the chipotle. (That’s coming from another Deli worker.)
yooooo our tummmmys full but we still hungryyyyy
-Taylor Herman and Sem Wechsler
ps guest list?
Yup, you’re on it.
nom nom nom
guest list please!
ur kewl
ps gust list me please?
I like food!
x0x0
lenora
ps giiit me on dat guest list
If sweet balances spicy what flavor balances sassy?
Good stuff, chocolate and salt in the best.
Guest List
-Lucia Anne Kalinosky
-Bernadette Scheinder
thanks!
love it
ps guest list please?
I LOVE FOOD
and molly
also put me on the guest list please
yooo this shit is tight
guest list?
mmmmm… guest list
yum.
guest list!
I like food.
and guest lists.
Yay hallmates!
guest list
Can’t wait to try the salted ice cream! Also, I’d like to be added to the guestlist.
The chipotle mayo + apple butter actually sounds really good. Might as well make things interesting to escape the monotony that is Stevie.
guest list please!
Damn all of these look hella good!
Guest list? yay.
Oooh I bet vinegar on fruit would be really good. I’ve never tried that or salted ice cream, but my grandpa used to always eat apple slices and watermelon with salt. It’s pretty delicious (in a weird way).
Burger with a jalapeno/salted caramel aoili. Yum.
Guest list?
Larry and Chris, what are your last names?
salted…chocolate…ice cream?
I just tried this on a recent outing, apple butter?? what a treat!!
Guest list please?
Smashing article, Miss Moss.
Addition to the guest list, please