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Remember the wonderful cartoon "Kung Fu Panda" and the protagonist's adoptive father, who cooked delicious noodles with a secret ingredient? Yes, of course, later it turned out that there was actually no ingredient (we hope this was not a spoiler!), But it often happens that every person who is fond of cooking has their own secrets.
Just let's recall the famous secret mixture of 11 herbs that glorified Colonel Sanders and his chicken dishes all over the world - almost eighty years have passed, but KFC still keeps its composition top-secret. In general, there is always some little thing that can turn an ordinary meal into a real masterpiece.
There was a thread in the Reddit Cooking community a few days ago, whose topic starter asked just one simple question: "What is your secret ingredient?" The Original Poster also admitted that they use a tbsp of cocoa powder when they make lentil or black bean chili (wonderful idea, we support it!) Other redditors liked it too, and now the original post has almost 1.2K upvotes and over 1.2K different comments.
Bored Panda has collected for you a selection of the most popular, interesting and original ideas, whose authors are confident in their kitchen magic. So feel free to scroll to the very end, and don't forget to share your own cooking secret (especially if you're a KFC top manager!)
More info: Reddit
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#1
Butter, it is always butter
Kookamunga 2 years ago
Always. Watch the old Julia Child french cooking shows. Butter, cream.....fat is delicious.
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#2
More of a baking one than cooking, but I always double/triple the vanilla in EVERYTHING, and always add a little vanilla if the recipe doesn't list any. And I always add more ginger/cinnamon/nutmeg than the recipe lists.
Jena Evans 2 years ago
If you're making a glaze or anything that requires boiling, always add it at the very VERY end, otherwise it will just evaporate.
#3
Use coffee instead of water for brownies
Jena Evans 2 years ago
You can also use espresso for a stronger flavor, and if you want it super good, just add instant espresso powder to the batter. You won't regret it.
#5
Shallots shallots shallots. They elevate any dish and take olive oil based pasta sauces to a whole new level.
#8
Powdered mushroom. I put in in everything savory that has a liquid base. It’s essentially an Umami bomb. I buy dried shiitakes at an Asian market where they are cheap, powder them in the vitamix, and store in vacuum sealed mason jars.
#9
Better Than Bouillon
CrazyDogLady 2 years ago
Probably getring downvoted, but I checked the ingredients in this and sorry, but I would not use such product. It (among other things like loads of salt) contains E631 and E627, use of both is restricted in Europe (can be used but in low amounts) and in my country both are flagged as potentially harmful to children and people with e.g. kidney diseases or generally sensitive.
#10
Depending on the dish - Worcestershire Sauce, Siracha, Pickle Juice, and Mustard.
#11
Miso Paste or Tahini
#12
Nutmeg in mac and cheese.
Molasses in chile.
Dash of acid in anything rich (not a secret but it feels like one!)
Jaden Alexander 2 years ago
In mashed potatoes it's great. I have people always asking why my pots are always so good. Nutmeg and something else but mostly nutmeg.
#13
Cayenne. It started with *Food Wishes* and now I put a little dusting on many recipes
#14
A little creamy peanut butter thickens a sauce (like a roux would) and adds a complex toasted umami component to the flavor. Just don't overdo it.
#15
Cornstarch. Not a flavour thing, but a texture thing. Dredge proteins for crisp-crunch. Add into baked goods for super softness. Thicken sauces quickly for cling and gloss.
and msg, especially in super simple vegetable heavy dishes, like zoodles.
#16
Acid in beans. Squirt of lemon, splash of vinegar, depending on the dish. Makes a huge difference even though you can't actually identify it as being in there.
#17
For me it's fish sauce. A little bit of fish sauce in the sauce goes a long way. I recently saw people on here debating on what the best brand of fish sauce is. I've always been a Three Crabs guy but the consensus seemed to be for Red Boat. I bought a bottle of Red Boat and I've been using it but I'm not sure which I like better yet.
#18
Gochujang paste.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I only came across this a year ago and dosh damn, its great. Lol
#19
A tiny amount of tarragon in fries (frozen or homemade), not enough that you get flecks of green on every fry, just a bit enough to get the aroma but people usually have a hard time wondering why the fries taste so good.
#21
Nobody has mentioned pomegranate molasses yet, so I am putting in a word for that. It is a tasty and versatile ingredient. For starters, try adding some to a vinaigrette for a salad.
Craig Becker 2 years ago
Never tasted it. But it seems like it might be similar to balsamic vinegar?
#22
Allspice anytime you use black pepper, especially meats, soups, and stews. Adds some aromatic, earthly, warmth and a touch of sweetness.
Crushed red pepper is my go to spicy add on, I prefer it over cayenne as it has a brighter taste imo.
Savoury anytime I use woody herbs like oregano or thyme but I think that might be a cultural thing.
I've also been adding anchovies to a lot of dishes that require cooked onion/garlic mixture. I could use fish sauce or Worcestershire but I like watching the filets melt away.
#23
Shaoxing wine in my poor man’s Bulgogi inspired pot roast.
#24
Sumac powder
AndThenICommented 2 years ago
Yes! If no one mentioned I was going to. It just adds that slight, can’t put your finger on it, lemony zing. Also, cumin
#25
2-3 Tbs of masa harina in a large pot of chili. It thickens and gives a subtle corny flavor. Now I want chili.
#26
Horseradish spread for sandwiches in my coleslaw. The kick gives the slaw something special
#28
Preserved lemon is a game changer
#30
Vinegar-based hot sauce in mac and cheese (Frank's). The spice enhances the flavor and the vinegar cuts the richness of the cheese sauce.
#31
Liquid smoke in my chicken salad.
Mascarpone cheese to thicken a “brothy” soup and give it a silky texture.
#32
1. When people ask me why my food tastes so good, I tell them that I use a secret ingredient. When they ask what the secret ingredient is, I wryly respond with "Love". But it's not really a joke. I think when people really care about the food they make, and the people they're serving, the food will taste better.
2. For a more practical tip: I rarely use salt. If I need to season something, I use something savory and salty. So stuff like soy sauce, miso paste, grated parmesan rind, or my personal favorite: chicken bouillon powder
John Hancock 2 years ago
1. Nope. "Love" or "care" will not make your dish better... It will just make people around you to say what you want to hear. 2. Well, that's awkward. The stuff you listed are loaded with salt.
What do you think ?
DuchessDegu 2 years ago
Mix icing sugar with lemon or lime juice instead of water to make icing for cinnamon buns, any pastry that needs a drizzle of icing really, the slight zing really makes it so much tastier
Id row 2 years ago
Isn't taste subjective? I think adding potato chips to a tuna fish sandwich makes it taste better, but not everyone would.
Hannah 2 years ago
Oh my god I've never heard of anyone else doing that! I either use potato chips or nacho Doritos. It's sounds terrible but it tastes amazing!
Load More Replies...
2x4b523p 2 years ago
I have been to Peru twice and each time had quinoa soup in one specific location on Lake Titicaca. It was the best soup I have eaten in my entire life, and one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. It had some spefic flavor that I just cannot place and despite trying dozens quinoa soup recipes I never even came close. I will forever wonder what the secret ingredient was - probably some local herb or such.
Madeleine 2 years ago
There are some recipes online. The ingredient might be ají amarillo paste, made with Peruvian yellow peppers. You can buy jars of it online.
Load More Replies... DuchessDegu 2 years ago
Mix icing sugar with lemon or lime juice instead of water to make icing for cinnamon buns, any pastry that needs a drizzle of icing really, the slight zing really makes it so much tastier
Id row 2 years ago
Isn't taste subjective? I think adding potato chips to a tuna fish sandwich makes it taste better, but not everyone would.
Hannah 2 years ago
Oh my god I've never heard of anyone else doing that! I either use potato chips or nacho Doritos. It's sounds terrible but it tastes amazing!
Load More Replies... 2x4b523p 2 years ago
I have been to Peru twice and each time had quinoa soup in one specific location on Lake Titicaca. It was the best soup I have eaten in my entire life, and one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. It had some spefic flavor that I just cannot place and despite trying dozens quinoa soup recipes I never even came close. I will forever wonder what the secret ingredient was - probably some local herb or such.
Madeleine 2 years ago
There are some recipes online. The ingredient might be ají amarillo paste, made with Peruvian yellow peppers. You can buy jars of it online.
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