Ingredients that make food delicious

Here ingredient groups that make food delicious and that I use everyday. 8 ingredients which are umami rich, that makes sense as these ingredients all contain glutamate, which is the defining element in umami and deliciousness.

1. Salt

Salt makes an enormous difference in food flavor. Salting to taste is essential to making delicious food. Salt is meant to enhance flavor, not to impart a salty flavor. When measuring salt, the type of salt you are measuring makes a huge difference. One teaspoon of regular iodized salt is much greater than 1 teaspoon of kosher salt or flakey sea salt.

2. Citrus juice 

Citrus zest and juice are low-calorie, high impact flavor enhancers, as well as a great way to get more vitamin C. Use citrus zest in marinades, salad dressings, pastas, custards and more. 

3. Herbs and spices 

Herbs and spices not only add flavor, but many have profound health benefits. Spices tend to be stronger in flavor than herbs, because they are made from crushed portions of plants that are especially rich in essential oils. Herbs can be found either fresh or dried, chopped or whole.

4. Onions and garlic

Yellow onions, white onions, red onions, sweet onions, shallots, chives and leeks all add great flavor to food. The interesting thing about onions is they change so much when they are cooked. Raw onions are sharp, strong, astringent and crunchy.

5. Eggs

Eggs do so many great things for food. The nutritional information on eggs is changing. Once thought to be hugely contributory to high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, eggs are now back in our good graces. 

6. Mustard and vinegar 

Mustard enhances salad dressings and sandwiches, but it can be used to enhance a lot of other dishes. Vinegar is a fermented product that adds zip and brightness to food. Some vinegars, like balsamic vinegar, are rich in umami. There are many health benefits also attributed to it. 

7. Peppers and chilies 

Ground, crushed, dried or fresh peppers and chilies go a long way to give our food zip, interest and heat. 

8. Oil

Fat enhances the flavor of food and makes food satisfying. Olive oil is the number one fat I use for cooking and drizzling, also use coconut oil, walnut oil, and sesame oil.