Pairings

Romeo and Juliet. Peanut butter and jelly. Dust and my furniture. Some things go together without saying. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to share a few of my favorite pairings.

1) Cheerios and chocolate chips--no cooking required. Grab a handful of Cheerios and use your other hand to sprinkle a few, or a lot of, chocolate chips on top. Pop the whole works in your mouth and enjoy the crunchy, chocolaty numminess. Repeat, if necessary.

2) Basil and tomatoes--planned by God, I'm sure. Sadly, both are in short supply this time of year in the Midwest but a few dollops of pesto on a sandwich can remind us of better times. Tomato season is only six months away.

3) Mustard and honey--must haves in every pantry. I suppose it's the sweet and savory juxtaposition that makes this pair so appealing. Whatever it is, one can't go wrong with slathering honey mustard on chicken, pork, veggies, pretzels and fingertips. Slurp. Slurp.

4) Coffee and morning--heavenly duo. Enough said.

5) Popcorn and butter--no microwave bags allowed. I want the real stuff, swimming in butter, sans the paper bag taste. Add a favorite TV show or movie and you're in business. Cheap thrills.

6) Rhubarb and strawberries--tarty sweetness. Midwesterners are always proud of rhubarb, a decidedly upper latitudes crop. One can make a sauce, a crisp or a pie, your choice. All will be tasty.

7) Walnuts and golden raisins--gorpy goodness. This combo is especially appreciated when one needs a little protein kick and a touch of sweet. Both are a little pale for their species, but so am I. Maybe that's why I like them so much.

8) Chocolate and...well, just about anything. Okay, maybe not with brussel sprouts or kale, but that could be good, too. Maybe.

9) Fries and ketchup--drooling now. I just can't eat a naked potato. I like them whipped with butter, scalloped with cheese, baked with sour cream and dredged in condiments. Dipping is such fun.

10) Frosting and saltines--delish. They are like little flat cupcakes you can make whenever there is a growl going on in the stomach. Truthfully, I don't even wait for the growl. I just go for it when both ingredients are handy.

11) My husband and me--a pairing for 37 years. It must be all the hearts and roses making me a bit sappy, but I can honestly say that I've been married to my best friend for almost four decades. I'd be lying if I said it was always mushy, googly-eyed love (not sure it ever was). True love is like the weather in the Midwest. Warm, cold, blizzardy, rainy, windy and sometimes all of that in the same day. Only the committed experience the joy.

Whether it's chips and dip, bath and bubbles or cocoa and conversation, I hope you can experience your favorite combo this month.

Happy Valentine's Day!