Why it works: Spinach and grape match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 11% of all ingredient pairs, and 182 recipes mention both. Both carry 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, which smells green bell pepper, earthy. The science ↓
The recipe
8 servingsIngredients
Contains: egg (auto-detected from the ingredients and method; we can miss things, so check labels)
Directions
Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.
In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, white sugar and vinegar until smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
In a separate large bowl, combine the thinly sliced cabbage, broccoli strips, thinly sliced red onion and sliced spinach leaves.
Quarter the seedless red grapes and add them to the vegetable mixture, tossing to distribute them evenly.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well until every piece is evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can blend.
Toss again just before serving and adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much aroma chemistry they share, and how many recipes mention both.
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Spinach + grapetop 11% of all pairsAroma overlapstrongMentioned together182 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine (green bell pepper, earthy).
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Cabbage + broccolitop 2% of all pairsAroma overlapstrongMentioned together171 recipes
Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).
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Broccoli + spinachtop 3% of all pairsAroma overlapstrongMentioned together302 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (clove, smoky).
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Pepper + cabbagetop 3% of all pairsAroma overlapstrongMentioned together4,080 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
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Pepper + spinachtop 4% of all pairsAroma overlapmoderateMentioned together3,400 recipes
Shared aroma: nonanal (fat, citrus).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
Flavor stand-ins for the onion
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (sugar, vinegar, pepper, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, grape):
- Mustardbetter flavor fit
- Capsicumbetter flavor fit
- Cauliflowerbetter flavor fit
- Onionthe original
Fit is the average pairing score against sugar, vinegar, pepper, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, grape. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes. This compares flavor only: it does not check the job the ingredient does in the dish (bulk, moisture, acidity, structure).
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