Cooking is an art form unto itself . The best chefs in the world move and create in the same way as the best artists and musicians of the age.
Sure, talent plays a part, but that doesn’t mean that cooking isn’t also a learned skill . With that being said, here are 15 ingredients that chefs of Reddit feel that the majority of people often overlook .
Sweet piquantè peppers
“It’s grown in South Africa, and I’m not sure where else it’s available across the world, or if at all, but it is the most delicious ingredient . I add them to salads, burgers, pizzas, wraps, tacos…” – Reddit u/SunnyBlondie7
Worchestershire Sauce
I by no means claim to be a culinary master, but I’ve made enough mistakes to be able to understand what not to do. That said, just a few shots of Lea & Perrins into whatever dish you happen to be cooking will help to elevate it.
White vinegar.
It sounds simple, but according to Reddit user SpaceOtterInSpace, a little bit of white vinegar can do wonders for your meal. Apparently, it helps to enhance a lot of missing flavor when it comes to cooking just about anything.
More garlic.
Reddit user Un__Real says that there is only one essential ingredient and that is garlic. Lots and lots and lots of garlic. Whatever the recipe calls for, double it. While you’re at it — go ahead and triple it.
A little Kikkoman’s goes a long way.
“I use soy sauce to adjust the salt levels in my pasta sauce and Japanese curry recipes, in lieu of using straight-up salt. It seems to enhance the umani[sic] flavor of most savory dishes I’ve made this way.” – Reddit u/bloomingfireweed
Chilli powder, cumin, and oregano.
Once again, I’m going to make sure to brandish my “NOT A CHEF” hat for all to see. However, if you’re looking for a quick seasoning mix that works great in everything from tacos to burgers, you can’t go wrong with these three simple herbs/spices.
This is why you should always have a couple of limes on hand.
Reddit user Melly-The-Elephant believes whole-heartedly that freshly squeezed lime juice is the perfect additive for any meal on earth. Whether you’re cooking burgers, bacon, or even homemade ice cream — lime juice is exactly what you need.
Bay leaves.
If you’re attempting to make a marinara or any kind of tomato-based sauce, make sure that you have a fresh supply of bay leaves readily available. My nana used to always say that the person who found the bay leaf on their plate would have good luck.
Mushroom powder.
Redditor Olive0121 doesn’t understand why so many chefs steer clear of dry seasoning when it comes to cooking. As far as their concerned, a little bit of mushroom powder is indistinguishable from the real thing and works just as well.
Chipotle puree
“Get yourself a can of chipotle peppers in adobo and put it in your blender or food processor until smooth . Put it in a jar in your fridge (don’t know how long it lasts, I’ve had it in the fridge for a few months w/o going bad).” – Reddit u/XenonTheInert
Ground cinnamon.
This is a relatively recent discovery I made while cooking Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie. If you put between 1-1.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon into your mince, it will help to not only make the meat taste more tender but incredibly savory.
Kraft Italian Salad Dressing.
If you want a simple yet delish marinade for pork, chicken, burgers, and everything in between — Kraft Italian Salad Dressing is what you need. Pierce the meat with a fork and then drizzle the dressing generously.
Honey.
Redditor panda1991girl has a nice little trick to turn onions into delicate pieces of candy. All it takes is a small amount of honey into the pan to create a caramelization. If you’re using spice, this will also help to draw out those flavors.
Salt.
It sounds painstakingly obvious, but Reddit user Anom8675309 is surprised at how often they see at-home chefs screwing up the proportion of salt. Ironically, more often than not, they find that amateur chefs use too little as opposed to too much.
Fresh ginger.
” I grab a decent sized[sic] piece from the grocery store, cut it into 1-2 inch pieces, throw it in the blender with about 1/4 cup of water and blend …no need to peel. Then freeze it flat in a plastic bag and break off a piece whenever I make a sauce or marinade.” – Reddit u/notedgarfigaro
ht/: Reddit
