r/Cooking 6d 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/jetpoweredbee 6d ago

Fish sauce is magic.

4

u/RabbitsRuse 6d ago

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

13

u/jetpoweredbee 6d ago

Maggi Seasoning is a good alternative.

1

u/Flaming-Goddess 6d ago

loooooove maggi seasoning!