Share with me you culinary secrets!

[Notasbigasithink]

I'm currently making spagbol and everyone whoever tries it always comments on how tasty it is! They can never put their finger on it but my secret ingredient is adding about a teaspoon (heaped!) of brown sugar!
I wait until nobody is around to witness this and have been doing it for years without being rumbled!
What do you add to standard, everyday meals to help liven them up?

Oranges with a bit of salt.
Without peeling, cut the orange into segments and sprinkle with salt. Leave for 10 minutes. They're much more tasty and juicy.

Even the thought of grating carrots makes me want a nap 😀

Always mix fresh cream and low fat yogurt as a filling for cakes or meringues , gives it a more tangy taste than cream alone and is better for you. I use equal quantities of each.

Half a teaspoon of bicarb knocks out the acid in a tomato sauce much better than sugar, plus the brief fizzing is kind of fun.
A big dollop of malt extract in chocolate chip cookie dough. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it included in a recipe, which is weird, cos it’s makes a huge difference to the colour, flavour, aroma and texture! It does make the cookies spread more though so I put them in the freezer for a couple of hours before baking

I cook swede like a massive jacket potato in the microwave. I then cut and scoop out the flesh when it's done. No watery mashed, boiled to death swede.

The cake recipe ? I will ask my sister she made it for my birthday cake I won't forget to message you back x

Now that's a good one !

Lots of tomato-based recipes call for sugar. It takes the acidic edge off the tomatoes. It’s particularly good if you’re using tinned ones as it takes away the ‘tinned’ taste IYSWIM.

I often make a pico de gallo and with the lime juice you have to add a bit of sweetness i use honey and use a recipe from an American living in Texas so sure they know what they are doing and its always lovely but they're using tomatoes home grown. Jarred pasta sauces are laden with sugar/sweeteners anyway far too much

Anything baked in a cheese sauce is definitely enhanced by a good sprinkle of smoked paprika...you can thank me later 😉

I’ve never had the nerve to try this despite having seen it numerous times on MN!

I always add a dollop of mustard to any cheese sauce such as cauliflower cheese or pasta bakes etc Makes them taste divine 😋
Will definitely give the smoked paprika a go though, I'm sure my mum does this on top of her cauliflower cheese!

Please share with everyone!

How long do you cook it for? I absolutely hate peeling and cutting up swede so this could be a game changer!

Sacrilege! But I might try this.

It does work, I've never looked back.

I'm feeling sorry for that poor poster who mentioned her cottage pie

Bit of balsamic vinegar in curry
Also chopped mint leaves in curry
Grated carrot, cinnamon, and a bit of soy sauce in chilli
Not a trick but using Bold Beanco Queen chick peas makes a massive difference to chick pea dishes
Probably criminal but crispy fry slices of smoked salmon with fried egg - I don’t eat bacon but this tastes close to me!

If your food tastes bland add a bit of acid, vinegar or lemon juice, that can really fix it.

I grate hard boiled eggs for egg mayo. 😆

Same here so I buy the tray stuff. Love swede though

Yes, thread overwhelmed by cottage pie criticism.

Baking. About 25g of ground almond enhances any cake mixture.

I think the point is, it saves time but to those eating, they see no difference

Me too bless her though being so forgiving. A happy poster though it is a bit out there !

My secret is fresh dill. I grow it so I have a ready supply and it is utterly amazing in all sorts of savoury recipes, just chuck in a pinch here and there. It also does miraculous things to home made salads and slaws

Oh also chilli peppers - I wait until Morrisons has a bag of them on yellow sticker then I chop and freeze them. Very good value and means I only have “chilli peppers fingers” every now and then.