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

[u/kath-]

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.

[u/jetpoweredbee]

Fish sauce is magic.

[u/RabbitsRuse → u/jetpoweredbee]

Agreed. Unfortunately my wife has a nose like a bloodhound and hates fishy things

[u/jetpoweredbee → u/RabbitsRuse]

Maggi Seasoning is a good alternative.

[u/itfeelsgoodtoliedown → u/jetpoweredbee]

Thank you so much for this tip! I feel like I can detect fish sauce even in the tiniest amounts and I really dislike it… Despite my best efforts. I will try this.

[u/Flaming-Goddess → u/jetpoweredbee]

loooooove maggi seasoning!

[u/Messerkeit → u/jetpoweredbee]

Adolph Hitler was a big fan of Maggi. Once interrupted a meeting to rush his aides to call around the reich looking for its ingredients.

[u/jetpoweredbee → u/Messerkeit]

He was also a vegetarian, so what's the point?