What's your favorite secret ingredient?
Mine is aleppo pepper; I use it in tomato sauce, add it to crab cakes, roasted potatoes, vinaigrette. Can't live without it!
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19 Comments:
Sour cream. What is that taste? Ah ha
I use it in sauces and baking.
JerzeeTomato at 2:27AM on 02/08/07
I lust for sour cream every day of my life--I guess I don't regard it as secret, but I can certainly see how you could sneak it into things. Great name, by the way, I go to the shore every year not only for the beach but the best tomatoes on the planet!
Barbara Hanson at 3:04AM on 02/08/07
CHILLIES ! from all over the globe !!
joturtle at 3:16AM on 02/08/07
Red curry - just a pinch can subtly enliven so many foods.
pageycooks at 7:45AM on 02/08/07
Butter! I sneak it into all sorts of things that either don't call for it or that call for less of it. Heh.
Adam Kuban at 8:29AM on 02/08/07
Wine. And shallots. They turn even a simple pan sauce into Ooh la la.
OldHippie at 9:58AM on 02/08/07
ramps, and itsy,bitsy, teeny, weeny amounts of truffle oil
Livetotravel at 10:23AM on 02/08/07
almond butter. when you add a little to stews (I particularly like it with chickpeas) it provides a depth and richness that people find difficult to place. It's also so good for you.
caley at 10:49AM on 02/08/07
Second Adam on the butter!
lia at 10:58AM on 02/08/07
There are so many! I love the almond butter idea; I'm going to try that tonight. Mine would have to be crushed red pepper flakes - they add a yummy flavour to everything, especially pastas....and meat marinades.....
culinarymisadventures at 11:20AM on 02/08/07
Ugh. Sour cream ruins food.
MY secret ingredient is usually hickory smoke salt. I put a little of it in many foods, and it never fails to win raves.
jdroth at 11:21AM on 02/08/07
I don't have a secret ingredient. I desperately need one!!! I will have to try the almond butter idea.
gwenpentland at 11:31AM on 02/08/07
Bacon grease and duck grease.
mel at 12:05PM on 02/08/07
Love... it really does make everything taste a whole lot better.
JadedOne at 12:16PM on 02/08/07
Zaterains Cajun Seasoning. it's like Lawry's, but with more of a kick.
(and also strong black coffee does wonders to deepen the flavor of chilis and stews)
misssbhavens at 1:42PM on 02/08/07
Shallots make everything better!
jonfoxx at 1:56PM on 02/08/07
Wine, Wine and more wine. Freshly ground nutmeg also perks up lots of things.
Sindy at 2:50PM on 02/08/07
Chipotle peppers and lemon zest, not necessarily together
NYkittyNY at 3:08PM on 02/08/07
Anchovies. I rinse one and put it in the roaster under the chicken or roast. It breaks down and mixes with the juices and ads a depth to the flavor. Also, when roasting chicken or turkey, I put an italian sausage in the cavity. My Nonna taught me that. Delicious! Also, fresh ground nutmeg added to any ground meats, white sauces, and cooked greens. And lastly lemon zest makes everything taste better!
ThatGirl153 at 9:32AM on 02/09/07