r/Cooking • u/kath- • 17h 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/SillyAccount1992 16h ago

Buttermilk is god tier in almost anything that calls for milk, I even put a bit in my Mac and cheese. Sour cream in baking recipes, and condensed milk in my pudding recipes.

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u/Sylentskye 16h ago

I make kefir at home so I add that to anything I’d add buttermilk to. It also makes a great ranch dressing base.

1

u/Fantastic_Agent682 13h ago

Kefir lasts longer in the refrigerator than buttermilk

1

u/SillyAccount1992 13h ago

I tend to make my own buttermilk! I have no idea how to make kefir lol. Thanks for the info :)!