"Secret ingredients" thar make a good dish a great dish

[PrincessHoneysuckle]

I've discovered recently that very finely chopped cooked smoked bacon really is a game changer in lasagne.I add it to the ragu.Tastes Amazing.

Anyone else got any?

Dark chocolate in a chilli per pp. L&P sauce in chilli or bolognese sauce too.

Smoked paprika in anything tomato-y gives a nice depth of flavour without being overpowering.

A teaspoon of mayonnaise in scrambled eggs; just at the end when they are almost cooked.

I once had a brain fart and instead of using coco powder for my chilli I added instant hot chocolate powder. It was not good. I do however add a swirl of maple syrup when cooking chilli.

Also, I've taken to buying fresh curry leaves whenever I see them. They're great added to Asian dishes and also salads for a savoury flavour. Especially if pan fried in coconut oil first. 😋

A dash of Noilly Prat vermouth in risotto or fish dishes.

Austrian pumpkin oil in a squash soup or to add to the vinaigrette for winter leaf salads.

Miso- with almost anything.

A pinch of coffee grounds in chili or stews (assuming there's enough cooking time remaining.)

Add nutmeg to pizza or tomato based pasta sauce

As PP says, a good splash of milk in Bolognese (or Chilli) near the end of cooking. It seems to bring the sauce together somehow, and apparently tenderises the meat.

Branston pickle in chilli con carne.

White pepper in mashed potato. It's a game changer.

Shallots instead of onions in everything.

In no particular order...

Lemon juice
EVOO
Ginger
Herbs - especially Italian parsley, fresh coriander, basil (incl. Thai basil) and dill
Chinese chilli sauce or a pinch of chilli flakes
Tamarind
Za'tar
Balsamic vinegar
Cream or butter

Salt. Started adding more than I used to to things like roast chicken. Big improvement.

Never thought of using msg. I’m going to give it a try but why does it feel like cheating?

Miso in scrambled eggs

Lemon juice in curries and some other chicken dishes
Creme fraiche in scrambled eggs
Mustard powder in cheese sauce
Dash of pernod in ratatouille/tomato based casseroles
Pinch of chilli flakes with smashed avocado and on tomato, mozzarella and olive salad
Juice of a tangerine/satsuma in a jar of cranberry sauce and warm it through (beats expensive stuff from M&S)
Grapes in a green salad

Lemon juice in any lentil dish, brings it to life

I buy this whenever I see it in TK Maxx - it’s a blend of smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne and black pepper.

It works with absolutely everything and tastes amazing!

Spices in almost anything. And far more than you thought you needed. Particular favourites are cumin, coriander, fenugreek, mango powder, cinnamon bark, pepper, mild Carribbean style curry powder, smoked paprika, black onion seeds (savoury), saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, ginger, nutmeg, caraway (sweet) - some of these can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. If using whole spices, give them a bash with a mortar and pestle, and fry or toast until aromatic.

@MintyCedric

What is it?!

MSG for fried rice, I haven't used it in anything else though.

Grate a bit of dark chocolate into chilli

A bit of marmite in the gravy to give it umami (like half a teaspoon)

Lemon juice on any green veg

Sherry in vegetable soup

Marmite in baked potatoes

Honey or sugar in French dressing

Mayo in French dressing - not always but mayo, mustard power, garlic, very finely chopped onion on top of your basic oil and vinegar is good when you want a punchy salad

Agree with mustard in cheese sauce

Can I also just say that a well toasted crumpet, butter, marmite and then Philly cheese top is a taste sensation

Oh and a fried egg on top of re-heated left over pasta

Sausage mince (not pork mince itself but actual sausage) with fennel seed, chopped garlic, salt, paprika and a dollop of ketchup makes beautiful Italian sausage meatballs.
You’ve got to have that fennel seed though.

A dollop of ketchup in all types of mince (lamb, beef), along with whatever you like to season it with, makes it extra tasty.

Adding a raw egg to your mashed potatoes along with butter and a splash of milk and mash it through (quickly so it doesn't leave stringy cooked egg pieces) makes a beautiful creamy mash

Teaspoon of mint sauce in a shepherd's pie.
Teaspoon of instant coffee in a beef casserole, especially good if tomatoes are in the recipe.
Square of dark chocolate or teaspoon of cocoa powder plus teaspoon of sugar to a chilli. Also lime juice.
Teaspoon of decent chutney, i.e. not sicky Branston, to a cottage pie.
Salt with everything. I rediscovered it once the children were older and it was like my tastebuds came back to life.

Seaweed in fish pie.
Szczypta smaku, Worcestershire sauce and/or marmite in things like beef cobbler, casseroles, mince.
I aways put mustard in cheese sauces.
And we like a sprinkling of crystallised ginger pieces in salad.

We add coffee to chilli con carne