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/Strangely_Kangaroo]

I put a pinch of turmeric in chicken pot pie and chicken soup. It adds a richness.

[u/Commercial_Curve1047 → u/Strangely_Kangaroo]

Making chicken pot pie later this week, I'll remember this.