Pantry Power Couples

I vividly remember the first time I saw someone swipe a Wendy’s fry through their Frosty. Middle school, after soccer practice, in the back row of someone’s mom’s station wagon. I thought it was sorcery. I thought it was a stunt. And then I tasted it. Creamy, crunchy, salty, sweet—each bite kept me coming back for more, until we were at the bottom of the carton of fries. It’s not dissimilar to other classic combos, like sea salt and caramel or peanut butter and jelly (or the infamous Elvis combo of peanut butter, bacon, and banana): If you’d never tried them, they might sound… improbable. But one bite and it all makes sense.

The best and most craveable foods are about balance and contrasts. With that, here are some “power couples” to make your snack time more inspired:

Popcorn with, well, anything

Turns out popcorn is the perfect conduit, the little black dress of snacktime, the ideal accompaniment for any flavor you crave. I like mine with a blend of nutritional yeast and a rotating cast of savory spices like garlic powder, dried dill, or smoked paprika. Trader Joe’s has some ready-to-go seasonings that are ideal here as well: “Everything but the Bagel” is oniony, garlicky, and full of sesame and poppy seeds, while “Everything but the Elote” is inspired by spicy, tangy Mexican street corn. You can’t go wrong. I put out a straw poll among friends and got some other must-try suggestions: furikake (a savory Japanese condiment you can sprinkle in at the end), ramen flavor packets, dry ranch seasoning, and hot honey. And since ‘tis the season, pumpkin pie spice is also a home run.

Back-Pocket Magic Makers

Pairings aside, these are like kitchen confetti, bringing a little extra joy wherever they’re added.
Next time you have something ho-hum on your plate, try a sprinkle or drizzle of one of these:

• Tajín (a chili-lime seasoning blend) on basically any fruit or veggie, especially watermelon
• Furikake (a Japanese seasoning blend typically made with sesame seeds and chopped seaweed) on avocado toast, a bowl of rice, or a salad
• Chili crunch (a spicy oil with roasted garlic and onions) with pasta, soup, fried rice, chicken, salmon, fried eggs…
• Flaky sea salt on literally anything. Not to be confused with the salt you use for cooking, flaky salt has big, wide grains you can smash between your fingers or scatter as a garnish. They melt on your tongue and accentuate any flavor. Look for Maldon or Jacobsen brands.

Geaux Girl! Teen Advisory Council food pairing recs:

“I love eating apples and hummus as a healthy after-school snack. I found out about this combo from my little brother and have been eating it ever since!” Lucy, 13

“Nutella and potato chips! It’s just like chips and dip, and it’s the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Use the Nutella generously when you dip in your favorite brand of potato chips; the more the better!” Mae, 18

“Popcorn and hot sauce, specifically Louisiana Hot Sauce, is something my dad used to make for us when we’d have movie nights. This food combo gives me nostalgia and comfort, and I love it for that. I recommend putting the popcorn in a bowl, pouring the hot sauce on top, and then sitting down for a movie marathon or a TV show binge.” Allyson, 16

Rémy Robert

(it rhymes with Amy Snowbear) is a born and raised New Orleanian who was thrilled to move home after a few years of living in New York and New England. Like most New Orleanians, she is food-obsessed and always thinking about her next meal. She works at NOCHI, New Orleans’ first culinary institute, and is also a professional recipe tester for cookbooks. You’ll find her feeding loved ones or marching with the Krewe of Wonder Women at Mardi Gras.