It’s not worth making Thanksgiving gravy without it. You see, I grew up in the middle of nowhere. (My mom’s pretty great!) Simply Recipes / Getty Images There’s one ingredient my mom and I have to discuss every year: Wondra flour. I have to remind her that Ineedthis particular throw in of flour or Thanksgiving will be ruined. I’m pretty humble about my cooking chops. Sally Vargas I think almost anyone can be a good cook with a little guidance, but gravy, Iknowgravy....

You’d never guess it’s in there, but you’ll taste the difference. Perhaps it was because my mom preferred hergreen beans simmered with bacon. And that is how I unexpectedly foundan ingredient that instantly upgrades any green bean casserole recipe: miso. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek Why Miso in Green Bean Casserole? Miso is a fermented soybean paste. Its not a traditional casserole ingredient, but maybe it should be....

This zero-dollar trick works every time. Simply Recipes / Getty Images My grandmother made theworlds best grilled cheese. She served them to me with Cape Cod chips on the side and a tall glass of chocolate milk. Simply Recipes / Getty Images It was as heavenly as it sounds. Now that I’m in my mom era, grilled cheese sandwiches have a new meaning. They are my ultimate default dinner. Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen...

IMHO, the best guacamole always has this. I like the flavor of my guacamole to be very assertive. As for spice, I used to only use fresh jalapenos. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock Id mince up about half a pepper to highlight the other flavors without stealing the spotlight. Little did I know that adding chopped pickled jalapenos to guacamole isthebestIve never looked back. I also add a splash of the jalapeno pickle brine....

Store-bought tomato sauce gets a major flavor boost. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Theres beauty in convenience, especially when it comes to prepared foods. Jarred pasta sauce is one of those foods. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Many varieties lack not just flavor, but acidity and complexity. The beautiful thing about butter is that its likely an ingredient you keep stocked in your fridge. That makes this smart trick not just tasty, but convenient....

A little trick that gives your favorite lasagna recipe a major boost. Simple additions like these can instantly elevate a dish. My homemade lasagna has a one-ingredient upgrade that does just this. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock I cant recall when I started adding nutmeg to my lasagnasit likely came from seeing someone else do it. Im a trained chef and recipe developer which means I often experiment with my food....

It works for limeade, too. I couldnt get enough of the floral, super tart flavor. Considering my affinity for the whole fruit, when it comes to lemonade or limeade, I mean business. Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker My ideal glass oflemonadeis just sweet enough to highlight the heady and bright natural lemon flavor without overpowering it. Let this mixture sit for about three hours, or even overnight, stirring it occasionally....

Upgrade any mac and cheese recipe. Its hard to make bad mac and cheese. Pasta + cheese + butter is usually a win, no matter how it comes together. Simply Recipes / Getty Images No one wants a broken and greasy mac and cheese. Unlike the vinegar-heavy bite ofyellow mustard, Dijon is a bit milder and less sweet. Its like when you add coffee tochocolate cake, which doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee....

It makes every marg taste so much better. What sets the drink apart for me is the salt rim. The salt so perfectly plays off the lime and tequila that it should really be required. Simply Recipes / Getty Images It gives your margarita that extra special something, and its already sitting in your pantry. I recommend using fine salt, like fine sea salt or table salt, for the best flavor distribution....

My grandmother taught me this trick for juicy meatballs. Yet I hear her voice often, especially while I cook. “Cover the gochujang with the foil seal so that it doesn’t oxidize. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Always push the kimchi under its juices before putting it back in the fridge. A little drizzle of sesame oil will revive any banchan.” I’m a better cook because of her. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock...

The secret ingredient that will take any meatloaf to the next level can be found in your fruit bowl. It’s been an American favoritesince the 1870s. Delicious served on a mountain of mashed potatoes, then stacked between bread the next day. Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn Theres a meatloaf recipe out there thats a perfect match for all of usmine isSara Bir’s. Its easy to make and delivers on flavor....

Never have another boring bowl of oatmeal again. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Oats are one of my pantry must-haves. I’d eat that any time, any day. Simply Recipes / Getty Images This tip works best with steel-cut orrolled oats. To toast your oats, add them to a pan over medium-high heat. Stir them frequently until they are golden in places and smell nutty. Simply Recipes / Getty Images You don’t need to add anything else, like butter or oil, to the pan....

These are classic peanut butter cookies 2.0. You know the ones with the signature crosshatch from the tines of the fork. However, a plain peanut butter cookie never really blows me away. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Many recipes I’ve tried taste a bit flat in flavor. That was until I started adding one secret ingredient that takes it to the next level: miso. What Is Miso? Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer...