11 Ingredients That Completely Transformed My Cooking
If your pantry starts with canned beans and ends with pasta, you’re missing out on the power of flavor bombs. Whether it’s a punchy sauce, pickled condiment, or flavorful sprinkle, these hero ingredients will transform any mundane chicken breast into an unforgettable dinner.
These flavor bombs come from all over the world. Many are available in your supermarket, while others might require a trip to a specialty store or website. But most are pretty inexpensive, and they all promise to transform and elevate your weeknight dinners. Here are 11 flavor bombs that you need to start stocking in your pantry ASAP.
Thai Curry Pastes
They’re not just for making curry. Whether red, yellow, or green, these aromatic, spiced pastes bring loads of flavor to any sauce they meet. Simmer into your next pasta sauce, or stir into softened butter to slather over grilled chicken, steak, or vegetables. And, yes, you can also simmer it in coconut milk and add vegetables for a killer soup. Your tomato paste will be jealous.
Miso
There are many varieties of this funky fermented soybean paste, but whichever one you choose, it’s sure to bring a punch of salt and umami to whatever you’re cooking. Whisk it into salad dressing, melt it into a buttery glaze for fish or steak, or toss it with vegetables before roasting. And if you’re in an adventurous mood, fold a few tablespoons into your chocolate chip cookie dough.
Chili Crisp
No two brands of chili crisp are alike, but whichever you buy, you can bet its zippy spice and irresistible crunch will make it an instant hit in your kitchen. It promises to transform everything from a bowl of white rice to a simple fried egg, and it’s terrific inside a grilled cheese or drizzled across a slice of pizza.
Capers
Yes, they have a life beyond chicken piccata and pasta puttanesca. These briny jarred buds bring pops of salt and tang to any sauce they meet. Chop and fold them into mayo or cream cheese to make a next-level sandwich or bagel spread, or fold them into potato, pasta, or egg salad for a little extra zing. I love frying them in a little olive oil and using them as a crunchy topping for a fresh tomato salad or couscous pilaf.
Chiles in Adobo
This canned condiment is the secret behind countless restaurants’ chipotle aioli. Chop up just one of these chiles with a little of the sauce and stir it into mayo for a multi-purpose sandwich spread, burger sauce, and french fry condiment. Throw it into sour cream and you’ve got an amazing topping for a burrito bowl or baked potato. Oh, and if you want to cook with it? It adds a great zip to any marinade, sauce, or soup it meets.
Spicy Mustard
If you love dijon or ballpark yellow, you’ve got to try spicy mustard. Varieties range from Chinese hot to Canadian spicy to English Colman’s, but most are made from brown mustard seeds and contain less acid so the overall flavor is sharper and more pungent. Try anywhere you’d use regular mustard but want a little extra flair: in salad dressings, sandwich spreads, or marinades. Egg salad will never be the same again.
Tahini
Often blitzed with chickpeas to make hummus, tahini’s savory richness and luscious texture can level up any dressing or sauce you add it to. Use it anywhere you would add peanut butter: whisked in the dressing for your cold noodle salad, stirred into overnight oats for a little salty kick, or spread over toast with a little honey. Like most nut butters, tahini is also amazing in desserts. Try adding it to your next batch of cookies or adding a swirl to your next pound cake.
Jarred Horseradish
It’s commonly served with ham or roast beef, but you can use this punchy condiment anywhere you want a bit of extra kick. Stir into sour cream or mayo for a zingy refreshing sauce or spread, or whisk it into your next vinaigrette or chicken marinade. Want to be extra daring? Fold some into marinara sauce along with chopped olives and a little Worcestershire sauce, and you’ve just transformed that boring weeknight penne into a Bloody Mary pasta.
Harissa
If you love a bit of sweet with your spice, harissa will be your new best friend. Sold as either a paste or a sauce, this North African red chili condiment will bring the smoke, the spice, and a little sweetness to anything it touches. Swirl it into hummus, drizzle it over eggs, or use it to marinate steak, pork, or steak. You can even spoon it over avocado toast for a little added kick.
Hoisin Sauce
This thick, sweet and tangy Chinese condiment is basically an Asian BBQ sauce. It’s traditionally used in marinades, stir-fries, and as a dipping sauce, but you could also drizzle it over roasted veggies or use it to glaze everything from chicken wings to meatballs to grilled eggplant. It’s also a killer dip for french fries.
Furikake
If you love crispy, crunchy salad toppers, you’ll go wild for furikake. Made from a mix of toasted sesame seeds, nori, sugar, and salt, this Japanese condiment is guaranteed to add fun texture and flavor to anything it touches. It’s a traditional topping for rice, but don’t stop there. Sprinkle it over mashed potatoes, stir it into a crispy breadcrumb topping for mac ‘n’ cheese, or use as a fun topping for a dip.
What are your favorite flavor bombs? Let us know in the comments below.
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