Tropical Palms Cheese Ball

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Avocado + limetop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together1,117 recipes

   Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).

2. Cream cheese + cheesetop 4% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together473 recipes

   Shared aroma: ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (fruity, apple).

3. Avocado + oniontop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together1,653 recipes

   Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).

4. Lime + pineappletop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together469 recipes

   Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).

5. Avocado + horseradishtop 6% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together28 recipes

   Shared aroma: coumarin (sweet, hay).

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Avocado

Adds creamy richness and fat, and its chunks give a fresh texture on the outside.

Non-fat cream cheese

Forms the creamy base that holds the ball together and gives it body.

Shredded cheese

Adds savory flavor and salt, and helps the mixture firm up as it chills.

Pecans

Add crunch and a toasty, nutty flavor against the soft cheese.

Pineapple tidbits

Add sweetness and moisture to balance the savory cheese.

Lime juice

Adds acidity that brightens flavor and slows browning of the avocado.

The step that matters

Swap the pecans

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (avocado, lime, cream cheese, onion, pineapple, cheese, horseradish):

1. Beansfits better
2. Cashew nutfits better
3. Walnutfits better
4. Pecansthe original

Fit is the average pairing score against avocado, lime, cream cheese, onion, pineapple, cheese, horseradish. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.