What is one unusual ingredient you add to a mainstream dish that instantly elevates it?

This is a super basic one, but when I’m making a quick grilled cheese sandwich I like to add a little bit of chipotle mayo to it. It blends right into the cheese so it’s virtually unnoticeable (perfect for picky children!). It just adds a little bit of smokiness that everybody loves and that goes so well with the sandwich.

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MellyMel22 · F

Not sure I’d call it unusual, but I love these hot peppers so many things I make, even soup.

deadmoon · 31-35, F

@MellyMel22 So you like to give nearly everything you make a little spicy kick? I think that’s valid. Let’s be real… there are a lot of things that taste a whole lot better when it comes with at least a little mild kick. I can see the same being true for soup.

MellyMel22 · F

@deadmoon Not everything, but a good amount!

Namor69 · 41-45, M

@MellyMel22 🔥👍🏼

JonLosAngeles66 · M

@MellyMel22 good Italian brand too.

MellyMel22 · F

@JonLosAngeles66 I’m yet to find a diff brand that can compare with these.

JonLosAngeles66 · M

@MellyMel22 I'm in Los Angeles, my market has Calabrian Chilis and I love it. I can't remember the brand.

MellyMel22 · F

@JonLosAngeles66 Oh nice! I’m in NY and always think how I’d miss so much i find here if I moved out of state.

deadmoon · 31-35, F

@MellyMel22 Tell me about it. I’ve lived in both states. CA ruined me for high quality Mexican food and NY ruined me for pizza. It’s not the most enviable position to be in, lol. Now I can’t be happy in either place without missing one aspect of the other so, so bad. 😭
Ten years later and I still have dreams about NY pizza, man…

MellyMel22 · F

@deadmoon Oh nooo 😩

I found a pizza oven I think over a year ago and you wouldn’t believe how if you get the temps right, can roll dough thin and make a good marinara, it’s like Bronx pizza 😋 I use store bought dough to make it easier lol.. When I buy pizza b/c I’m too tired to cook, it’s like damn I wish I just took dough out and made it myself! Once store bought gets home the bottom isn’t as crispy, but this thing I have is like out their oven!

deadmoon · 31-35, F

@MellyMel22 I’ve tried to make NY-style pizza at home! California’s idea of NY-style pizza is atrocious. But this is hard to make outside of NY. The specific mineral balance in NY water plays a pretty huge role in making amazing pizzas. This has been studied and is often cited as a contributing factor for why truly authentic NY pizza is very difficult to replicate outside of the city, even by born and raised New Yorkers. 😭

MellyMel22 · F

@deadmoon I’m not sure about the dough there, but I’m telling you that I wouldn’t lose it for pizza if I had it still. Keep in mind I was raised on the Bronx and ate pizza at least every other day from age 10 on 🤭
https://similarworlds.com/food-drink/pizza/5063429-What-are-your-experiences-with-pizza-makers-if-any