Tuna Pompons

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. Celery + peppertop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together16,012 recipes

   Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).

2. Butter + milktop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together81,283 recipes

   Shared aroma: (z)-4-heptenal (biscuit, cream).

3. Celery + oniontop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together18,518 recipes

   Shared aroma: guaiacol (smoky, sweet).

4. Milk + ricetop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together7,374 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).

5. Celery + ricetop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together2,169 recipes

   Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).

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

What each ingredient does

Flour

Thickens the sauce so the mixture holds together and clings to the rice and tuna.

Cooked brown rice

Provides bulk and a chewy texture that gives the balls their body.

Tuna

Supplies the main protein and savory flavor of the balls.

Cheddar cheese

Melts into the mixture, adding richness and helping bind the balls.

Dry bread crumbs

Form a crisp coating that browns in the oven.

Sour cream

Adds tang and creaminess to the serving sauce.

The step that matters

Swap the celery

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (onion, butter, flour, pepper, milk, rice, cheddar cheese):

1. Turmericfits about as well
2. Cinnamonfits about as well
3. Garlicfits about as well
4. Celerythe original

Fit is the average pairing score against onion, butter, flour, pepper, milk, rice, cheddar cheese. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.