Summer savory, an herb with a rich culinary history and a bold, peppery profile, has long been a staple in European and Mediterranean kitchens. While it is often associated with grilled meats, beans, and stews, its potential extends far beyond the traditional. But what flavors go well with summer savory? Let’s dive into its aromatic world and discover the endless pairing possibilities.
Summer savory: A brief history and tradition
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis), has been used for centuries in cooking and herbal medicine. The Romans prized it for both its culinary applications and medicinal properties. The Romans then introduced summer savory to England by Julius Caesar’. Beyond its use in the kitchen, it is also known as a companion plant that attracts beneficial insects and enhances vegetable growth.
The aroma profile: Summer savory
Summer Savory is widely used as a seasoning for grilled meats and barbecues, but also in stews and sauces. It can be added to dishes with beans and legumes to aid digestion. The distinctive flavor of summer savory is driven by carvacrol, a woody, camphorous molecule that gives it a thyme-like nuance. Hints of citrus, woody, pine and green notes further contribute to its layered complexity. These characteristics make summer savory a versatile ingredient in food pairing, allowing chefs to create dishes with depth and dimension.
Pairings
Based on the aroma profile, here are some pairing ideas by the Foodpairing tool:
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The classics: Timeless pairings for summer savory
Some pairings are tried and true for a reason:
- Pork loin: The richness of pork loin complements the peppery, herbal notes of summer savory, making it a natural seasoning for grilled or roasted preparations.
- Lentils: Earthy and hearty, lentils benefit from the slightly spicy and aromatic qualities of summer savory, commonly found in European legume dishes.
- Barbecue sauce: The woody and pine notes from summer savory blend perfectly with BBQ sauce and the herbal notes of summer savory add an extra layer of flavor to the sauce.
- Fennel bulb: The fresh, slightly anise-like flavor of fennel bulb pairs well with the citrus and green, thyme like notes of summer savory, resulting in a refreshing combination.
Dare to be different: Unique pairings
For those who love to experiment with food combinations, here are some intriguing pairings suggested by our food pairing app:
- Gin: The botanical nature of gin harmonizes with summer savory’s herbal profile, making it an excellent addition to cocktails or infused syrups.
- Lavender: A unique summer herb mix for marinades, sauces, BBQ or herbal crust (persillade) on meat. The floral and slightly sweet aroma of lavender enhances the woody and citrusy aspects of summer savory.
- Blackcurrant: Summer savory shares lemon and pine-like aromas with blackcurrant.
- Sichuan Pepper: Combining summer savory with Sichuan pepper brings out a complex mix of herbal heat and numbing spice, ideal for bold, adventurous dishes.
- Cola: Summer savory shares lemon aromas with cola. You can also combine this with lavender for a unique BBQ marinade blend.
Your turn: What will you dare to pair?
Summer savory’s potential goes beyond its traditional uses, offering a gateway to exciting and unexpected flavor combinations. Whether you’re exploring classic pairings or stepping into the unknown, the possibilities are endless with our flavor pairing generator. Want to discover more food combinations? Visit our foodpairing tool to create your own pairings.
Want some inspiration? Here are some ideas:
- Blackcurrant: You can make your own flavoured gin by infusing summer savory and black currant in the gin, you can add a bit more chili to turn up the spice. If you would like a bit more lemony flavors feel free to add lemon peel or a squeeze of lime.
- Cola: Used as a marinade, cola and summer savory create a rich, caramelized depth of flavor in slow-cooked pulled pork with crushed coriander seeds.
