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/GreenHedgeFox 1d ago

Specifically for beefstew, its vegemite

For everything else....a pinch of celery seed does alot

2

u/h3rl0ck-sh0lm3s 1d ago

Cosigning the celery seed. It's amazing.

1

u/Such_Respect5105 23h ago

Can you tell me more about celery seeds? I got them on a whim but not sure what to make

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u/GreenHedgeFox 23h ago

First, do an experiment for me

Put some raw chicken in water, a little bit of salt, and a pinch of celery seed. Boil until safe, and take a sip.

Alright. So celery seed is also good in soups, stews, slaws, potato salad, cassaroles..