Bringing out the flavour

[BellaDesconocida]

hello, I know about adding mustard to cheese sauce to "bring out the flavour" and nutmeg to spaggy bol and carrots "to add a subtle richness" - what other condiments / herbs / spices have similar magic powers?

star anise to beef dishes, like stew etc.

Chocolate or good quality cocoa added to chilli

Pinch of sugar or drop of honey to anything cooked with tomatoes or passata

Oooh fab, would never have thought of these.

I have some star anise, bought because it looked pretty, never used it yet.

How much cocoa for chilli? I've had chilli with chocolate & didn't like it - perhaps the ratio was wrong

Branston pickle is fab in a cottage pie

About a teaspoon or just over, put in early on. I use Green and Blacks, usually.

Bella - I aired this on a thread the other day but I CAN'T resist.

I add spent 2 heaped tsp of spent coffee grounds and the dregs of the coffee pot to chilli (or if I have none I add 2 tsp of Gold Blend) to 500g of mince. Add a juice of a lime too.

Yes to lime juice in chilli but have never heard of putting coffee in it. I treated myself to a little jar of chipotle paste today, to see if that transforms my veggie chilli from fine to superlative.

Worcester sauce or mushroom ketchup in savoury dishes. Stir some redcurrant or quince jelly into roasting juices when making gravy. A little finely chopped fresh ginger in fruit cakes is much livelier than the powdered version they usually recommend.

Hmmm coffee in chilli? If I remember, next time I'm making a chilli, I'll ake a portion out and try that (and feed it to DH first ).

Lawks, cogito,

A good pinch of salt in porridge. Really gorg but far from necessary. I only do it now and again for a treat. Then top as usual with honey or brown sugar, or whatever.

that's sacrilege RCOR!!!

Salt should ALWAYS be put into porridge and is as necessary as the oats or water!

Bella - marmite in meaty things

A good pinch of sugar in tomato dishes.

Anchovies with lamb dishes including shepperds pie.