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Questions tagged [seasoning]

Questions about the use of spices, herbs, salt and other flavorings to create the desired flavor in the final dish. See also the [salt] tag. For questions about seasoning cookware (e.g. cast iron) please use the tag [seasoning-pans]. Note that questions on flavor combinations (as in, "how should I season X", or "what seasoning goes with X") are off topic. This is a general site rule that goes beyond this tag.

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3 votes
3 answers
7k views

To salt or not salt broth for use in recipes?

Many recipes call broth, but broth recipes often omit salt and pepper or in some instances require only a small amount. My question is this: when a recipe, let's say risotto for example, calls for ...
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

When is MSG suitable and when is it not?

Does adding msg to any recipe or dish always make it taste better? It doesn't seem to have much of a taste on its own. EDIT I'm not asking HOW it makes things taste better, I'm asking which dishes it ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Newly seasoned carbon steel pan sticks when cooking

After doing reasearch I decided to try a less expensive pan when buying a 12". Bought a Paderno and did a mix of seasoning with organic flax seed oil. I did about 5 coats on the stove top per ...
3 votes
4 answers
16k views

The importance of timing to adding spices

From beer making, we learn that the earlier in the brewing process we add an ingredient, the more it contributes to taste, while the later we add the ingredient, the more it contributes to aroma. ...
5 votes
5 answers
916 views

Roasted chicken ends up only salty outside

I tried to make roasted whole-chicken yesterday, by patting dry inside out with paper towel and salting it inside out followed by roasting for 1 hour at 465 F. It was nice overall except that it's ...
1 vote
0 answers
147 views

What seasoning can be used to replace msg? [duplicate]

If you can't use msg, (due to Migraines), what other seasoning can be used to make korean yaki mandu?
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can I season a stainless steel frying pan?

After the advice I gave about seasoning a cast iron pan, one would think I knew. I don't though. I have 2 large cast iron pans I use regularly but I'd love my good quality small stainless steel pan ...
0 votes
1 answer
770 views

How can I improve a dish with badly cooked spices without recooking? [closed]

I am living in a place where the food (namely curries) served is so bad I lose my appetite by just smelling it. I've tried making it taste better by adding some chilli powder, salt, and onions but it ...
1 vote
1 answer
890 views

What is the reason behind seasoning "from a distance"?

I've seen some top chefs like Gordon Ramsay seasoning their food in the "air" or "from a distance". Please take a look on the following example, where Chef Ramsay is seasoning a scallop: https://...
3 votes
1 answer
4k views

Add spices/herbs early or late to a chili or stew in a crockpot slow-cooker?

Should spices and herbs be added early to a chili/stew in a crockpot slow-cooker to maximize their flavors? Or do the spices/herbs cook-out over a long time, effectively disappearing, and should ...
1 vote
1 answer
116 views

Optimize use of seasoning in salty food

How can i optimize the use of seasonings in salty food? When i cook, for ex, chicken breasts, i always put way more pepper and paprika than the original recipe (however, i put the same or an smaller ...
1 vote
3 answers
35k views

What is inside the Prawn Cocktail crisps flavour?

I'm looking to make something close-enough at home for a friend. I'm suspecting it doesn't actually have Prawns in it.
1 vote
4 answers
15k views

What foods to cook in a new cast iron skillet that will help improve the seasoning?

I've never cooked with cast iron before and just picked up a couple Lodge cast iron skillets (6" and 12"). They come preseasoned, but I imagine some additional seasoning is desired. I tried bacon, ...
11 votes
7 answers
44k views

Help with ground beef seasoning: flavors are weak

So I routinely serve up very simple style burritos in my apartment (beef, sour cream, cheese and white flour tortillas), and I've grown well past the days of using pre-mixed seasoning packets to ...
4 votes
3 answers
5k views

Is it different to add seasoning at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of cooking?

I think the question doesn't need more explanation, just if you have to add any seasoning, from pepper to any other kind, specially if you have a variety of them, do you decide an order for them?
10 votes
4 answers
1k views

How do you season and cook to palates and preferences different than yours?

Often times the dishes I am the most disappointed with end up being a hit with my family. It is almost as if our tastes contrast each other. Given that, how can I cook something that appeases a ...
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is it a good idea to grind dried oregano with a mortar and pestle?

Someone explained to me that I could increase the surface area of my herbs significantly when grinding them in a mortar with a bit of salt. It is indeed quite easy to grind them down to a powder. I do ...
12 votes
4 answers
8k views

How do you season/prepare a wood plank for Plank Grilling?

I wanted to Plank Grill a Salmon, after hearing about how much Jarrod enjoyed it: Besides salmon, what other meats can be grilled on a cedar plank? How do I season a cedar plank in order to use it ...
0 votes
3 answers
838 views

How do I impart the flavor of mint to a tomato sauce? [duplicate]

I have dumped 2 tbsp of dried mint and 2 handfuls of crushed mint leaves into a reduced 28 oz tomato sauce but it only made a dent of mint taste in the sauce. I don't get it - a little dry or fresh ...
6 votes
2 answers
4k views

When should you season sauce that needs to be reduced?

I just thought about how seasoning a sauce is not a wise decision because if it needs to through reduction like marinara then the flavors would get too concentrated. But I always see people put salt ...
4 votes
2 answers
44k views

Will storing salted steak overnight ruin the meat?

I've salted the steaks, but I can't get the grill going. If I store them in the fridge and cook them tomorrow, will the fact they are salted already ruin the meat?
4 votes
3 answers
16k views

How do you know how much garlic to add to a dish and in what form?

I always shy away from using garlic because it is such a wild card. It burns easily, and how you chop, dice or grate it has a MAJOR effect on flavor so there is not much reference experience from ...
1 vote
2 answers
4k views

My food doesn't have too much taste / taste allways the same? [closed]

I "cook" everyday for myself and my girlfriend and I enjoy doing so. So this year I decided to really learn how to cook. I am doing at least a new dish every month in order to try new things, but I ...
3 votes
0 answers
1k views

How to make plain white rice less boring? [closed]

I'm a college student. I'm poor. Rice is cheap. Therefore, I eat a lot of plain white rice (medium grain). I was wondering if there are any specifically tasty seasonings I could pick up that would ...
2 votes
4 answers
39k views

What are some seasonings that can spice up a bland frozen chicken alfredo? [closed]

Tonight, the main course is: Red Baron's Chicken Alfredo. The problem is that it's a little bland so I'm trying to figure out what the best seasonings will give it more spice, or at least a more ...
7 votes
3 answers
77k views

Should meat be seasoned before or after cooking?

When should meat be seasoned? I heard that salting meat prior to cooking draws out the moisture but I have noticed that a number of chefs season their meat prior to cooking.
15 votes
3 answers
28k views

What is a non-pork substitute for Italian sausage?

We do not have genuine pork Italian sausages here in Israel. When a recipe like Ragu or Bolognese calls for Italian sausage, what meat could be used as a substitute for ground pork, and what ...
3 votes
3 answers
6k views

How do I decrease the saltiness in pork meatballs?

If I simmer salty pork meatballs in low sodium tomato juice or sauce would it decrease the saltiness in the meatball?
0 votes
2 answers
522 views

Why do you need to wrap containers of brined meat?

Everyone says you should seal whatever container you brine your meat with using tinfoil or airtight nylon. What are the reasons for this?
0 votes
3 answers
1k views

Does it matter when you add the salt? [duplicate]

Spices create aromatics so it is important when to add them. But what about salt? Is it critical if you add salt to the flavor base instead of adding it to the tomato paste, or adding it to the ...
3 votes
2 answers
608 views

What are these crispy bits on top of rice?

What are these crispy bits on top of rice that look something like this, but are perhaps a bit smaller: (Picture taken from this blog post.)
4 votes
1 answer
56k views

What to do when I accidentally put too much salt on the meat?

I'm still learning to cook, and yesterday I put too much salt on the meat when I was cooking it. What I can I do to not waste the meat? I still have some raw meat but I'm afraid to make it too salty ...
3 votes
1 answer
402 views

How are puffed rice cakes flavoured?

I am working on puffed rice cakes, but I can not find how they are flavoured. Is the oil sprayed on it and seasoning sprinkled after? Or is an oil-seasoning slurry sprayed, or is it something else ...
2 votes
2 answers
684 views

How do I reduce the lime flavor in my Slow Cooker roast?

I placed limes in with my roast and now it tastes like Limes. How do I get rid of this over the top Lime Flavor. Any suggestions?
12 votes
4 answers
6k views

What are the advantages of serving fries in a metal cone?

We ate at BURGR a few weeks ago. And we had a burger and fries. The burgers were good - 7 out of 10. The fries were served in a cone. Now when my wife and I were eating the (truffle) fries we both ...
9 votes
3 answers
71k views

How to add flavouring ingredients to steamed or boiled veggies?

I'm a newbie cook from to prepare the nightly dinner for my wife and I. I usually have a meat and stream or boil sweet potato, corn, Brussels sprouts, asparagus or broccolini. It occurred to me that ...
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

Mexican style taco cheese

So I know these cheeses are a blend of yellow and white cheddar as well as some Monterey Jack (sometimes pepper jack), but do you know what seasonings are used to make these taco style shredded cheese ...
8 votes
3 answers
26k views

What are preaseasoned cast iron pans preseasoned with?

I'm shopping for new pans right now and keep seeing cast iron advertized as "preseasoned". What does this mean? What are they preseasoning it with?
0 votes
1 answer
714 views

Seasoning none stick teflon pans [duplicate]

Before the first time I use a none-stick teflon pan, how should I do seasoning? 1- Should I first rub oil on it then heat it? [ref1] or first I should heat it then remove heat and rub oil on it? [...
9 votes
1 answer
37k views

Substitute for Onion Powder

I live in Europe but use many US recipes. These often call for onion powder which is hard to find here. Diced or minced onion is often not a good alternative and whilst garlic powder is easier to ...
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can seasoning be eaten without being cooked?

I use the steak seasoning for cooking steak (season on steak before being cook) I love the seasoning so much that, even after fully cooked, I still add a lot to the steak, is it okay? Are there any ...
1 vote
4 answers
13k views

Help! Chicken and Wild rice soup needs some extra flavor [closed]

I made a creamy chicken and wild rice soup for the first time following a recipe I found online. However, now that it's finished, I think it needs more flavor. The only seasonings I used was a the ...
5 votes
2 answers
824 views

Are arborvitae branches safe to use as a seasoning?

Back in old times (really old times), when people would get scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) on long voyages, Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) was used as a treatment/cure to help folks recover from ...
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why "Yeast Extract"

I'm having dinner at a popular burger joint, and the have their house seasoning on the table. It includes "Yeast Extract". What would be the reason to include this in a season?
1 vote
1 answer
6k views

Why season the meat "liberally"?

Whenever I watch cooking shows on TV, they always advise to season the meat "liberally", even "aggressively". Is there a particular reason for this, or do regular people just tend to under season ...
5 votes
4 answers
5k views

What's the best way to learn what each seasoning is?

For example, Iike cayenne pepper is spicy and marjorum has a smoky flavor. I just want to learn the different flavors of each seasoning, so I can know exactly what seasonings to use for the different ...
13 votes
9 answers
142k views

How do I make a really flavorful turkey burger?

Since turkey burgers don't have a lot of fat, you lose a lot of the flavor that you get with beef. Also, you have to make sure you cook them through (170 degrees), so they tend to dry out. What are ...
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

Stainless steel pan too hot?

I have been cooking with my stainless steel pan for a while, and have tried many techniques to prevent sticking. Hot pan then oil did work to some extent, but I still had trouble with eggs, potatoes, ...
6 votes
6 answers
9k views

Is there a difference between seasoning and flavouring?

I find the meaning of the word 'seasoning' slightly elusive. Before I started to take cooking seriously, I'd have said that any herb or spice used in cooking could be called a seasoning. Without ...
34 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why are salt and pepper the "classic" dinner table seasoning?

Is there a reason we use salt and pepper on so many dishes and they can be found in any kitchen table at dinner time? Does it have to do with their flavor synergies, or were they just more available "...