5 Aromatic Dishes To Try For Your Dinner Party
One of the best scent experiences happens when you walk into a home where the kitchen has been in full use — dinner's almost ready and the aromas of the ingredients are lingering in every corner of the house. You're hungry and ready to eat! I love hosting family and friends, and whether you're feeling Cuban cuisine or Indian, aroma plays a vital part in your night. The right aroma will ignite expectations for the rest of the meal.
Cooking is a form of art and a way to touch people's souls. Many express their love and gratitude through food, so it's no surprise that connecting to the senses is essential. Taste, smell, and texture each play pivotal roles in completing the experience.
This chart will help you with the aromas of classic cultural flavor combinations and below are a few of my favorite recipes.
Aromatic Chicken Curry
The combination of cinnamon, creamed coconut, and curry spices delight your nose, inviting you to taste the rich flavors of the dish.
Caprese Salad with Smoked Sea Salt and Peaches
Open the palate through a basil-inspired dish with a peachy twist! Cover the peaches in a little sugar and butter, then caramelize.
Lebanese Stuffed Bell Peppers with Labneh
This Middle Eastern dish is all about the seven spices. Combine black pepper, cumin, paprika, coriander, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom together until evenly blended.
Pesto di Ortica (Nettle Pesto)
Own your pesto sauce in a few simple steps and use trout, salmon, or chicken to bring this condiment to life!
Rich Braised Beef with Melting Onions
Slow-cook the meat in a beef stock with onions, mushrooms, and a few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
After dinner, I like to offer my guests tea or coffee, and I light a candle as I get a few sweet bites together for dessert. My go-tos are lavender sage or cinnamon spice from Get Wickd — these aromas are the perfect transition from a lively meal to a relaxing atmosphere. The meal is complete, so its aroma should also fade away. Remember, the way to your friends' hearts is through their stomachs, and their noses are the gateway to their appetites!