AUTHOR: Veronica Booth
Home cooks and pro chefs who have been tinkering with recipes for years often find special ingredients that seem to work in everything. Whether it’s a sauce or a seasoning, these secret ingredients can be the key to creating a balanced dish. And that’s what cooking is all about: finding the balance between sweet, sour, salty, and sweet! Consider adopting one or more of these ingredients into your arsenal of magical, go-to ingredients.
Table of Contents
1. Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is a secret and powerful weapon for many home cooks. It’s a very thin sauce with a bold, peppery flavor that delivers an irresistible umami punch. This sauce can elevate various things, from salad dressings to meatballs to mixed drinks to stews and more. If you think your dish needs some oomph, try a splash of Worcestershire! It’s especially perfect if you want to add a beefy flavor.
2. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper can be a useful addition to many dishes, even ones that aren’t meant to be spicy. Don’t go overboard, or your dish will be spicy. But a humble dash of cayenne can bring the flavors of your dish to life, adding zest and depth that wasn’t there before. It can even enhance rich desserts like chocolate cake, making the individual flavors shine.
3. Miso Paste
Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning that many home cooks consider their secret weapon. This thick paste is made from soybeans, salt, and other ingredients, such as rice or seaweed. Miso paste has a savory, toasty, complex flavor profile that can bring depth and richness to almost any dish, from soups to marinades to stir-fry.
4. MSG
MSG is one of those ingredients that once you start using it, you’ll never go back. It’s simply a flavor enhancer, so it can be used to elevate a wide array of foods. It’s derived from salt, so it’s almost like concentrated salt. People will often add a sprinkle of this additive to savory dishes, from Thanksgiving turkey to shrimp curry to Buddha bowls.
5. Whole-Grain Mustard
Mustard is a wonderful condiment that people will slather on sandwiches or add to charcuterie boards, but it can also be a brilliant secret ingredient. A dollop of whole-grain mustard in your chicken salad, deviled egg mixture, salad dressing, or queso can take the flavor profile to the next level. The feisty flavor and distinct texture bring a delicious flair to any recipe.
6. Celery Salt
Celery salt can also elevate things like chicken salad, along with Bloody Mary mixes, meatballs, popcorn, creamy dips, and much more. It’s a combination of salt, celery seeds, and other flavoring agents, so it’s like salt with a whole lot of earthy flavors. Using this in place of salt in a variety of recipes will result in a richer flavor that is both robust and vegetal.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
When people think their food is missing something, they often reach for the salt shaker. However, foods lacking in taste often need an acidic component to bring the flavors to life. Apple cider vinegar is an excellent acid, as it is sour but also bright and sweet. Other useful acids include all kinds of vinegar (red wine, white, champagne, balsamic, etc.), pickle juice, and citrus juice!
8. Nutmeg
An online commenter said: nutmeg is to sweet food, what MSG is to savory food. Nutmeg can be a brilliant flavor enhancer, creating depth and complexity without substantially altering the flavor profile. Cinnamon can have a similar effect, but nutmeg tends to be slightly more subtle in flavor while still potent.
9. V8 Juice
V8 juice is a vegetable juice intended to help people get their daily serving of veggies. However, some home cooks recommend it as an addition to many tomato-based dishes. So, the next time you make butter chicken, bean chili, or ratatouille with tomatoes, consider adding a splash of V8 for a zesty, robust flavor. It’s also great as a Bloody Mary mix!
10. Butter
This one might not seem like a secret, but many home cooks advise never to underestimate butter. Whether salted or unsalted, a fat pad of butter makes everything taste a little (or a lot) more delicious. Sure, grapeseed, avocado, and sunflower oil might be healthier, but what is life without butter?
Source: Reddit.
12 Superfoods That Will Help You Lose Weight Like Magic
Looking to shed some pounds in a healthy and natural way? Superfoods might just be the magic you're searching for.
Click Here For 12 Superfoods That Will Help You Lose Weight Like Magic
12 Items That Were Once The Best But Aren't Anymore
Looking back, lots of products used to be the best and everyone wanted them. But things change fast, especially with new stuff coming out all the time.
Click Here For 12 Items That Were Once The Best But Aren't Anymore
12 Things You Should Never Say in an Elevator
Whether it's oversharing personal life or bringing up uncomfortable topics, this list goes over the top 12 things to zip your lips about
Click Here For 12 Things You Should Never Say in an Elevator