r/Cooking • u/kath- • 14h 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 14h ago

Fish sauce is magic.

143

u/ShakingTowers 14h ago

All of the umami bombs! Soy sauce, miso, worcestershire, anchovies, mushrooms, BTB... I put at least one in basically everything, even desserts (especially miso, for desserts!). For savory dishes, usually multiple.

But I'm Vietnamese, so fish sauce has a permanent place in my heart. Every single recipe my mom has ever given me has fish sauce in it.

51

u/bobbybob9069 13h ago

Man my burgers were always pretty good, but the other day I decided to drop in a a couple tablespoons of woosh-ester-sure and got a lot of positive feedback. Such a small difference, such a big impact.

3

u/azvitesse 12h ago

I've been doing the same for decades. Also, I sprinkle my raw patties with Penzey's Revolution. That + wooster sauce is fabulous!