Secret Ingredients

We’ve had friends ask us about our pantry staples (perhaps another blog post) and meal planning (one of our most popular posts) and how to transform meat-centered recipes into vegetarian recipes (check the notes on most recipes). But what we've been thinking about sharing are our secret ingredients. Who doesn’t love to know someone else’s (cooking) secrets??

It will appear as a random list, but each one has a special place in a variety of recipes. They enhance flavors or nutritional content, or both. Bottom line? Make sure you have these on hand when cooking and baking.

1. Vanilla –  PURE vanilla extract.  Invest in a big bottle. I add a dash of vanilla to pancakes, oatmeal, waffles, french toast egg mix, muffins, icing, frosting.  It is a wonderful way to add sweetness without adding sugar or other sweeteners. I’m thinking of making my own extract at home…stay tuned.
2. Extra Fiber - I use Benefiber – It completely dissolves in water, but can also be added to any recipe without changing the flavor or texture. Most of us need more fiber in our diets, especially the picky eater in my house. Adding extra fiber to everything from baked goods to mashed potatoes, to smoothies, to pasta sauce will help digestion and enhance the good bacteria in your gut. Look into Flaxseed Meal and Chia Seeds as well for a way to sneak in fiber! We have lots of recipes that include both.
3. Whole Milk – So many recipes call for a little bit of milk and most of us have skim on hand.  However, the difference between skim and whole in most baked goods is significant. This adds flavor, creaminess, and just tastes better.  Cheese sauces, quiches, scrambled eggs, pancakes, etc.  Does it add calories? Yes, but when you’re using one cup in an entire recipe, it’s a small change per serving.
4. Dijon Mustard – A low-calorie, prepared food to add deep flavor quickly. We all know it as a condiment for burgers, hot dogs, brats, hot pretzels, etc.  However, I have many recipes that use it in a rub, marinade, coating, or glaze. Add a tablespoon to cheese sauces or pan sauces for a little spice and a lot of flavor.
5. Nutritional Yeast - Nutritional yeast is considered a superfood because it’s packed full proteins and nutrients.   It looks like this and has a cheesy, nutty flavor.  I love to sprinkle it on vegetables and salads;  add it to my pasta sauce for a protein boost; and stir in my comfort food dishes for added cheesy flavor.  It’s gluten-free, low calorie, low fat, and sugar-free.  
6. White Beans - Having canned (or dry) beans in your pantry is a must - especially white beans. Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are a must have for salads, homemade hummus, curries, etc.  But it’s cannelini and great northern beans that are the perfect hidden secret to meals such as soups, waffles, and sauces.  They’re creamy, mild, and can be added whole or mashed to go undetected.  A hearty source of fiber, healthy starch, and protein.  

As a reminder, you can search for these ingredients using the search box at the top left hand corner of our blog.  Just type in the ingredient you're looking for and anything that includes that item will pop up!