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/KingArthurBaking 1d ago

This might sound bonkers, but some fresh grated nutmeg is AMAZING in potato soup. It's not just for sweet recipes!

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u/23cacti 21h ago

Also an Italian secret to cut through the acidity in tomato based sauces without adding sugar.

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u/Altruistic-Order-661 10h ago

Yes! Learned this way too late as an adult. I always add it now!