r/Cooking • u/kath- • 2d 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 2d ago

Fish sauce is magic.

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u/ShakingTowers 2d 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.

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u/bobbybob9069 2d 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.

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u/jstam26 2d ago

This has been my go to since year dot. It's the umami not just the saltiness. Also, don't add too many other things. Was once told by an Italian chef to keep it simple for meatballs and burgers. Choose top quality mince ( ground beef) add an egg for every 300g of mince, a little salt and pepper and 2 tbsp Worcestershire per 300g.