While we all love dining out, nothing beats a delicious homecooked meal according to 98 percent of Americans.
From healthier cooking ingredients to a more affordable and sustainable way to eat, cooking at home offers many benefits. That said, there’s also a lot of expectation and pressure to make every meal taste amazing. Which is easier said than done when you have to whip up dinner for four after working all day!
Luckily, there are secret food ingredients that have the power to turn your meatloaf from meh to magnificent, or add some much-needed pizzazz to your pasta sauce. Check out these five flavor-boosters your pantry should never be without!
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Mexican Vanilla Extract
Ever made a cake and skipped adding the vanilla extract because you didn’t have any? If so, it’s time to discover what you’ve been missing out on all this time. Trust us, once you shop here for some Mexican vanilla extract, there’s no going back. Nothing compares to the sweet and satisfying flavor of real vanilla extract. And the best part is, you only need a couple of drops to transform your smoothies, oatmeal, ice cream, and cakes into something truly magical.
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Paprika
While all herbs and spices offer their own unique flavor boost, we have a particular soft spot for paprika. This warming, almost sweet spice has a knack for making food taste better without being too obvious about it. Use it for making homemade hummus, add it to your pasta sauce, or mix it with oil and use it to glaze oven-baked potato wedges.
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Worcestershire Sauce
It might not be easy to pronounce but Worcestershire sauce sure is easy to use. Although this mix of fermented anchovies, chili peppers, garlic, onions, salt, and sugar might not sound like it, it’s one of the most versatile condiments around. It’s especially delicious splashed onto a grilled cheese or a baked potato, or mixed into a batch of chili or a Bloody Mary.
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Ginger
Whether you’re making something sweet or savory, there’s no better way to add a serious kick than with some ginger. From ice cream to hot tea, roast chicken to a beef stir fry, let a hint of ginger take your taste buds to the next level.
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Vegetable Stock Cubes
Also called bouillon cubes or broth cubes, these handy little bad boys are a pantry must-have for many, not least because of the way they complement all kinds of cooking styles. Best of all, though, is how they pack in so much flavor. One cube is more than enough to turn chopped veggies and boiling water into a tasty soup. While adding an egg, noodles, and scallions to a pot of simmering stock is a quick and easy way to make your own very basic homemade ramen.
Essential Flavor-Boosting Cooking Ingredients
With these hard-working cooking ingredients in your pantry, it’ll be a lot easier to cook up a storm in no time.
What’s more, you’ll likely find yourself buying food less often as these failsafe food ingredients will help you stretch out your supplies for longer.
Want more wellness insights and health news updates? Be sure to check out our other blog posts for all the latest tips, tricks, and how-to guides!
