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Farm Kitchen:  Secret Ingredient...  |
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brianna.e
True Blue Farmgirl
54 Posts
Brianna
Gladstone
Michigan
USA
54 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 07:42:51 AM
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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? |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7114 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7114 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 07:51:47 AM
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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. |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3957 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3957 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 08:35:17 AM
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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. |
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Dirtduchess
True Blue Farmgirl
693 Posts
Patsy
Decatur
TX
USA
693 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 11:08:52 AM
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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. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 4:58:26 PM
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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!
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brianna.e
True Blue Farmgirl
54 Posts
Brianna
Gladstone
Michigan
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 5:08:46 PM
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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! |
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AuntJamelle
True Blue Farmgirl
569 Posts
Jaime
South Bend
Indiana
USA
569 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2016 : 12:51:37 PM
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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! |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2016 : 12:55:05 PM
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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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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13666 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13666 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13666 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13666 Posts |
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Cozynana
True Blue Farmgirl
1123 Posts
Kem
1123 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2016 : 5:50:29 PM
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| 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. |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 06:14:02 AM
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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 |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 07:49:19 AM
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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
My Blog
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Women are angels. When someone breaks our wings, we just jump on our broomsticks and fly! We are flexible that way! |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7237 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7237 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 12:03:26 PM
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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 |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2016 : 2:20:23 PM
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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
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/
www.facebook.com/suburbanfarmgirlblogger |
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AuntJamelle
True Blue Farmgirl
569 Posts
Jaime
South Bend
Indiana
USA
569 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2016 : 06:20:01 AM
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| 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! |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
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TinyChinaCows
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Rebecca
Seminole County
FL
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2016 : 07:27:55 AM
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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! |
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shawneefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Linda
Missouri
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2016 : 12:17:51 PM
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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 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2016 : 2:24:58 PM
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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!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Dec 01 2016 11:30:09 AM |
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Lady in Pearls
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Ashley
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2016 : 7:41:17 PM
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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/ |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2016 : 08:51:46 AM
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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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achavez
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Andrea
Moscow
ID
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 10:42:22 AM
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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 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7114 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7114 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 10:49:57 AM
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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. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 11:31:44 AM
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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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firecatinc
True Blue Farmgirl
1252 Posts
Lenora
Fulks Run
VA
USA
1252 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2016 : 4:08:28 PM
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Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to your potato soup. Very yummy and no one can figure it out.
Nora
Farmgirl Sister #7131 |
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Farm Kitchen: Secret Ingredient... |
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Secret Ingredient...
