Do you have a special ingredient that you use in almost everything you cook?
By damned_dle
@damned_dle (3942)
Philippines
December 6, 2010 7:33am CST
Whenever I cook, I can't help but put some fresh onion leaves that I planted. It seems incomplete for me if I cook without it. Especially when I am experimenting on foods. How bout you? Do you have a special ingredient that you always use for cooking?
3 people like this
23 responses
@marguicha (219877)
• Chile
6 Dec 10
I use salt and pepper, of course. And most of my disshes have garlic and onions (normail or bunch or any member of the onion family). I also use oregano for many dishes.
Take care!![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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2 people like this
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
We have oregano here too, but we mostly use it as a medicinal herb.
1 person likes this
@camposkat (306)
•
6 Dec 10
I don't really have a "special ingredient" that I use but my fiancé taught me to use mixed herbs. We buy it in small glass containers and they're really good to spice up and give added flavor to fried rice and pasta sauces. We also use it when we make dry rub (or coating) for meats when we grill them or bake them in the oven.
2 people like this
@kayla_7602 (704)
• Canada
6 Dec 10
I always cook with garlic. Although one of my favorite ingredients to add to many recipes I cook is cornflake crumbs. I grind the cornflake cereal in a food processor (you can also buy it like that). I use it to coat things like chicken and pork chops. I also add it to hamburgers, tomatoe sauce, pasta dishes, and so much more.
2 people like this
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
6 Dec 10
Hi,
The main ingredient for my cooking is garlic and I need
to put more garlics to my dishes for more fragrant.
I love to eat garlic,but not my husband. He dislike garlic.
So I have to either chopped tiny or even cut in big size.
I will need garlic for every single dishes I cook everyday.
Sometimes, I will add big onions to my dishes.
Not to forget, my Maggi seasoning powder is also a must.
I don't use Ajinomoto for my dishes,but I opt for Maggi
product. I like the taste and sometimes, I don't even need
to add any salt since I am using Maggi Seasoning for my
dishes.
2 people like this
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@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
still having problems about the payout? ![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
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1 person likes this
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@Valene82 (89)
• United States
6 Dec 10
When I cook I seem to put garlic in almost everything, or chopped onion. It just adds a lot of flavor and I really, really love garlic! I like to make a lot of food in a skillet and the smell of garlic or onions sauteeing in a little oil smells wonderful. I also make a lot of rice based dishes and those two ingredients seem to always add a lot to rice and veggies.
Also, I cook most everything in olive oil. It tastes good and is so good for you too, as is garlic and onion; very good for your heart.
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
most of the dishes i cook has garlic in it. it brings out the asian aroma in food aside from having health benefits too. as much as possible, i try not to use seasonings or other artificial flavorings. so often, dishes are lightly seasoned with a little salt and pepper. for a little twist and to give a little spice, i sometimes add lemons and chilli peppers. depending on the type of dish of course. and when it's a coconut milk-based dish for seafoods or fish or simply traditional steam-broiled countryside dishes, we use fresh or dried camias. ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
coconut-milk with camias sounds s yummy!
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@JudgeIronFist (2472)
• Singapore
7 Dec 10
For my family, it's oyster sauce. It tastes good and it's used in almost every chinese or should I say, cantonese dish. The other thing would be garlics. Garlics enhance the taste of the dish and it also adds some extra 'spice' to the dish. Cheers!
1 person likes this
@jahernandezrivas (11288)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I like to use meat tenderizer when I am cooking meat and if it is chicken I like to use Lemon Pepper and Garlic Salt and I really like a lot of pepper on whatever I cook except for sweet things of course. Have a goods day!
1 person likes this
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
I always use pepper too.. And I don't cook sweet foods
What is a lemon pepper? Is that the pepper with dried lemon rinds?
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@jahernandezrivas (11288)
• United States
8 Dec 10
No it is in a shaker like the salt and pepper. But that sounds good too!![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
7 Dec 10
I am always using the spinach and basil with garlic and onions then mix with worcestershire sauce. I am doing it especially if I don't like the meal. I can do it for a sandwich as well then my boyfriend loves it.
1 person likes this
@jinjer168 (1596)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
Hello there! Whenever I cook for myself or love ones, garlic, onion, pepper, and sugar are some of the ingredients I always used to perk up the taste of my dishes. Like you, I used onion leaves as well as garnishing for my dishes plus it also gave a more delicious taste to my dish I must say. As for my favorite desserts, Pandan leaves and vanilla are my favorite flavorings. They made my desserts extra special with the very great taste they provide for my sweets. Good night!![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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1 person likes this
@starlight_starbright (810)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
I "love" cooking anything where I can use TOMATOES and ONIONS. I love cooking with just anything using them. I am so engrossed with spicy foods. My secret ingredient is CHILI PEPPER. Everyone love my cooking. Even those who are not into spicy food would love to eat something spicy that I cook! And I think I seldom cook anything without it. lol! Oh! I don't use them in my desserts! ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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1 person likes this
@bnd8884 (98)
• India
6 Dec 10
If i talk about myself i do not have any special ingredient but i have listen many people personally or in any restaurant that they have some special ingredient like spices or something else. some of them are real but some are only fake like in animation film kungfu panda.
1 person likes this
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
hahaha. The secret ingredient is.... "nothing" ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@tummalapalli (251)
• India
7 Dec 10
In almost every restaurant they use garlic... But it is not healthy to use it everyday... So don't give much importance to that... If you keenly observe almost all dishes have similar taste...Vegetables loose their original taste with spices...
1 person likes this
@reshresh0484 (41)
• India
9 Dec 10
There is nothing as such as secret ingredient. M... I add Garam Masala to every other curry I make and also to make chicken or fish fry. Another special ingredient I like is Lemon powder. This makes chicken or fish fluffy and tasty when fried. And I love to use a whole lot of coriander leaves in my curries
@ifa225 (14464)
• Indonesia
9 Dec 10
i always add a little sugar in my soup or every food i made.
just a little bit and it gives me a different taste.
makes it special.
@LadyDD (515)
• Romania
21 Dec 10
I love to cook with savory. It's an ingredient with a lovely taste and healthy too. I add savory on almost all foods and in a large quantity. I have a special place in my garden to grow savory.
@gorgeoustill (66)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
Hi,
I don't have a special ingredient but I always use garlic in most of my cooking. I can start anything with it, especially when I'm experimenting. I love its aroma and the noise that it produces on my pan, makes my cooking exciting:). And like you, I'm not satisfied if there's no garlic added on my meal.
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