Love swicy taste? Experts share tips on pairings to achieve the right balance

The Internet has rebranded an old favourite flavour profile mdash sweet and spicy mdash to swicy And along with new slang wersquore wondering if there are newer and bolder combinations for it Two experts share their take on pairings and tips on how to achieve the right balanceChef Sachin Pereira proprietor Occasions Mumbai and East Indian cuisine consultant tells us that while balancing flavour is both a science and an art that is based on experience and intuition the best way to hit the right notes is to taste as you cook Chef Pereira explains the importance of striking a balance ldquoSweet salty sour bitter and umami are five tastes that build our overall perception of flavour Each element should be perfectly balanced across the meal and not just in one dish for the dining experience to be elevatedrdquoHis favourite combinations are a mix of classics and new dishes like sweet potato and spicy lentil stew honey chilli bean enchilada with pomodoro verde spicy chicken tenders with apple sauce and a jalapeno margarita cocktailWhen you think sweet and spicy the first region that comes to mind are Asian flavours that have been Indianised like the desi Chinese chilli chicken or apple chicken lollipops that have a sticky sweet coating with a fiery kick But chef Mohit Bhowar executive chef at Marriott Executive Apartments in Navi Mumbai brings our attention to the tandoorcooked paneer gulnar that is coated with spicy marination and stuffed with mava and apricotsThe balance chef Bhowar notes is achieved not in one mixture but by adding individual sweet and spicy elements If yoursquore experimenting at home chef Bhowar suggests trying these combinations mango and chilli in a salsa marinade or chutney honey and sriracha make for great dipping sauces or glazes chocolate and chilli in Mexican mole sauces or desserts peach or pineapple and jalapentildeo which are great for tacos burgers or grilled chicken skewersChef Bhowarrsquos tips1 Taste as you cook adjust the quantities to achieve the desired balance2 Use fresh ingredients like ripe peaches or mangos for a natural sweetness that pairs well with the spiciness from fresh chilli peppersChef Mohit Bhowar3 Consider the texture and sensations of sweet and spicy ingredients and how they interact with each other on your palate Take for instance a crunchy slaw that includes sweet and juicy elements with a fiery sensation4 Donrsquot forget to balance other flavours Sweet and spicy should not be the only flavours in the dish Incorporate other elements like acidity from lemon juice or vinegar saltiness from soy sauce or salt and umami from soy sauce or fish sauce to round the tasteThe hero flavours can be sweet and spicySweet chilli glazed orange chicken tandoorINGREDIENTSgtgt2 kgs whole chickengtgt500 ml orange juicegtgt5 gms orange zestgtgt50 gms honeygtgt1 tsp chilli powdergtgt1 tsp coriander powdergtgt12 tsp garam masalagtgt1 pinch turmeric powdergtgt1 pinch black peppergtgt20 gms ginger garlic pastegtgt2 sprigs coriander leavesgtgt4 chopped chilliesgtgt2 lemons for juicegtgt 1 pinch rock saltgtgt100 gms yogurtMETHODWash and dry the chicken keep aside For the chicken marinade add orange juice orange zest honey ginger garlic paste finely chopped green chilli rock salt black pepper yogurt and all the spices in the ingredient list with a drizzle of oil You require a thick paste and not a runny consistency Pierce the chicken with a knife and coat it in the marinade mixture Refrigerate for four hours Then cook the chicken in the tandoor or in an oven at 160 degrees celsiusAdjust the temperature at the end for a golden crispy layer on the chicken Once the chicken is ready let it rest for three to five minutes before cutting it so that the juices remain intact You can garnish the plated chicken with chopped coriander cherry tomatoes and sliced orangesRecipe courtesy Chef Sachin PereiraSwicy around townSmoked butter chickengtgtSmoked butter chicken blend of sweet and spicyAt The Indian Project PowaiCost Rs 400Log on to Swiggy and ZomatoSweet and spicy pork ribsgtgtSweet and spicy chicken drygravyAt The Momo Factory multiple outlets and Sernyaa Malad WestCost Rs 290gtgtChicken jalapeno sandwichAt The Daily Deli Goregaon West and Malad WestCost Rs 400gtgt Crispy sweet chilli lotus rootAt The Game Ranch Nalasopara Malad West and PowaiCost Rs 425gtgt Sweet pickle and cheddar sandwichAt Cococafe multiple outletsCost Rs 295gtgtSweet spicy sour sticky pork ribsAt The Fatty Bao multiple outletsCost Rs 695gtgtAfrican jerk grilled chicken steak with sweet and spicy BBQ sauceAt August Cafe Lokhandwala Andheri WestCost Rs 600