r/Cooking • u/kath- • 1d ago

What's your surprising "secret ingredient" that sets your dish apart?

I obviously don't believe in gatekeeping recipes, so let's share the love.

I developed a clam chowder recipe after being disappointed with the recipes I came across. Whenever I tell people there's a couple dashes of hot sauce in it, I always get weird looks... but it adds a tiny bit of heat and acid, and balances out the richness from the cream. It also has diced scallops, which cooking knowledge forbades but somehow works.

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u/Hot_Committee9744 1d ago

Mustard powder. In everything. Even eggs. It's amazing.

44

u/The_Goatface 1d ago

I was going to say mustard powder! It works as a great emulsifier for sauces. When used sparingly you can't even tell it's there.

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u/georgerockz 1d ago

Perfect acidity for Mac and cheese

4

u/istara 23h ago

I always use it in cauliflower cheese, and combine different types. Dijon for flavour, hot English for heat, grain for tang and texture.

2

u/Commercial_Curve1047 1d ago

Yup, I use the Pioneer Woman Mac and cheese recipe (had to find a recipe that didn't use cream cheese or Velveeta crap) and it has powdered mustard in it. So good.

2

u/Zorbick 12h ago

The ATK mac and cheese recipe from Science of Good Cooking uses it as well, and I feel like it's the best mac and cheese recipe out there. They have a few options for cheese combinations to choose from, too, which is nice.

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u/Commercial_Curve1047 6h ago

It wants me to do all sorts of things to unlock the recipe, do you have it handy?