| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| brianna.e |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 07:42:51 AM
I'm curious. Do any of y'all have a weird or secret ingredient that you add to something you bake/cook? Something that no one would really think of adding but that seems to make your dish just perfect?
I add coriander to my chicken noodle soup! Not sure how much (I am one of those folks who don't really measure when cooking), but maybe a 1/2 tsp? Just enough to imbue it with a little lemony, "what is this?" flavor. Ever since I starting doing that little thing I have been getting crazy compliments about my soup!
Wanna share yours? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| firecatinc |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 4:08:28 PM
Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to your potato soup. Very yummy and no one can figure it out.
Nora
Farmgirl Sister #7131 |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 11:31:44 AM
Sara! My mother used to cook chicken with sherry! Isn't that one of the ingredients of cacciatore, too? Mmmmm! Gotta make some of that, now!
Andrea, a little red wine - and I mean just a touch - is always good in marinara or spaghetti sauce, too. Adds body!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 10:49:57 AM
Andrea, have you ever tried sherry (not the cooking stuff but real sherry) in chicken broth or soup? I like it and I also like dry white wine in it.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| achavez |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 10:42:22 AM
I put a "glug" of wine in soups....white for chicken broth, red for beef. Just a 1/8 cup maybe. It makes ALL the difference. The annoying bit it, I don't drink wine, so I have to buy it just to cook with it.
-- Andrea #7230
I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. - Oscar Wilde |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 20 2016 : 08:51:46 AM
Oh, Ashley! I had forgotten! My grandfather always put beer in his fish and clam batter... SO good! Thank you for bringing back some really fun memories! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| Lady in Pearls |
Posted - Nov 15 2016 : 7:41:17 PM
What a great topic! I'm taking notes! My ingredient is fresh garlic chives in my scrambled eggs. It adds a lot of complexity to the flavor. I can't eat them any other way now!
Another one would be ale in fry batter. It creates a light, crisp batter that is so yummy on fried squash blossoms or seafood.
Not sure if this one counts, but I use a combo of onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika on any roasted veggies, especially potatoes, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese during the last 15 minutes of roasting.
“If more of us valued good food and cheer above hoards of gold, it would be a merrier world." - Tolkien
http://myfrenchreligion.blogspot.com/ |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 15 2016 : 2:24:58 PM
Oh my gosh! Boy, have I been missing on some great tips! Can't wait to write 'em all down and give them a whirl!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| shawneefarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 15 2016 : 12:17:51 PM
This is an awesome thread!! Great question, Brianna-my special ingredient is caraway seeds to my chili mac. Makes it very interesting. Everyone seems to love it. I also use dill on my eggs. I have a lot of ideas to jot down - I am so-o-o happy!
I'll tell you the truth, if a man keeps my word, he will never see death." John 8:51 |
| TinyChinaCows |
Posted - Nov 08 2016 : 07:27:55 AM
These are all such interesting ideas!
My super secret ingredient is... ketchup. About a tablespoon goes in my chili and in shepherd's pie, and a teaspoon or so even goes in my yellow coconut curry. It adds just the right amount of sweet brightness! |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 07 2016 : 08:26:05 AM
Wowzers! So many great tips!
I use apple cider vinegar in my brown gravy as well as in veggie-stock soup broth to give it a little 'zing '...
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| AuntJamelle |
Posted - Nov 07 2016 : 06:20:01 AM
I thought of something else I do! I always add dried dill and freeze dried chives to our scrambled eggs :) In addition to the salt and pepper! I don't measure, just sprinkle on until it looks right! |
| texdane |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 2:20:23 PM
I love this thread! I use cinnamon in my spaghetti sauce (a touch of sweet wine in it makes it "Greek", like my grandmother made).
I also use turmeric in my chicken soup - yummy and an immune booster.
Maple syrup in my corn bread makes a nice treat, too.
Dill in my potato salad.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 12:03:26 PM
I'm keeping notes on everyone's secret ingredients!
I'm not sure if mine is common but I haven't heard anyone else doing it, but I like to put mustard in my home made mac and cheese. One of my favorites!
Krista |
| sherone_13 |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 07:49:19 AM
I sneak turmeric into a lot of foods that I cook. Tumeric is a super food...sooo good for you. it's a good anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and painkiller. I don't put in enough to taste. Just a tiny bit in almost everything, so we get some all day long.
Sherone
Farmgirl Sister #93
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 06:14:02 AM
Ohhh, I am loving this question and all of the tips from other Farmgirls! I keep little mini organic apple juice packs (like the kind you would pack in a child's lunchbox) and use one when I cook Kale or other bitter type greens. The apple juice adds just a touch of sweetness without making the greens sweet and counters the bitterness they often have. I also routinely substitute a half cup of apple sauce for vegetable oil in any cake or sweet bread recipe. It cuts down on fat calories while still keeping the bread/cake moist and tender. Again, I keep those mini cups of organic applesauce in my pantry as a staple. Each cup measures 1/2 cup so I don't need to open a jar just for a bread recipe.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
| Cozynana |
Posted - Oct 26 2016 : 5:50:29 PM
Chili powder in the oil before popping pop corn with salt and a bit of pepper. It is really good if you like spicy food. We used to have it almost every night after supper. My dad loved making it in a big ol' heavy dutch oven type kettle. He would also pour melted butter over the top of it. Nothing like a few extra calories, but man was it good. |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Oct 19 2016 : 08:10:49 AM
P.S. Pinto beans are a major crop grown here in the southwest Colorado. Mostly grown on dryland farms which means they rely on the rain for irrigation.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Oct 19 2016 : 08:07:34 AM
Ground ginger in my pinto beans (helps eliminate the "gas" causing effect)
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Oct 17 2016 : 12:55:05 PM
Oh! What a great idea, Jaime!!! I bet that adds great flavor to chili! We use 1 - 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in ours - it's a real boost to the dish, too! :) Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| AuntJamelle |
Posted - Oct 17 2016 : 12:51:37 PM
We use a sprinkle of cinnamon in DH's grandpa's chili recipe! :) It just adds a certain something!!!
I've also heard of adding a tablespoon or so of creamy peanut butter to chili but haven't tried that yet! |
| brianna.e |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 5:08:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ninibini
What a great question, Brianna! I'm taking notes for sure! Thank you!
A pinch of fennel seed makes meatsauce for spaghetti just that much better. Also, I use a pinch of ground cloves in my pasta sauce, and I use it in my chicken soup, too! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Fennel!!!
I love that, I will be trying it! |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 4:58:26 PM
What a great question, Brianna! I'm taking notes for sure! Thank you!
A pinch of fennel seed makes meatsauce for spaghetti just that much better. Also, I use a pinch of ground cloves in my pasta sauce, and I use it in my chicken soup, too! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| Dirtduchess |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 11:08:52 AM
I put dried dill in my a lot of my recipes. Most of the time someone will ask me what is that taste. They all like it. It doesn't work too well with tomato or beef dishes. The taste of the dill is usually not there.
Patsy
Farmgirl 4678
Leave room in your garden for the fairies to dance. |
| churunga |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 08:35:17 AM
I love to use smoked paprika in soups and chicken, egg and potato salads. It adds a wonderful smoky, spicy flavor.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 07:51:47 AM
I sprinkle cumin on roasted veggies. I especially like it on Brussel spouts, potatoes, and cabbage. I use a lot of cumin in Tex-Mex dishes and chili.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
