How do you give food flavour?

Question

When I cook, my food has no real taste. I've tried buying new spices but this hasn't worked.

For example, I make bolognese and it has good consistency but no real flavour to it.

Is there anything else I can try?

Answer 1

Salt, pepper, fish sauce, soya sauce, garlic salt, oregano, basil, oyster sauce - depends on what you are cooking.

Answer 2

When I make bolognese I add garlic when I'm browning my meat.  This really seals the flavours in.  Use dried herbs early in the cooking and add some fresh herbs near the end.  Fresh stock also adds more flavour.  If you're using dried tried adding an extra stock cube but reduce your salt accordingly.

When making things like curry maranade the meat in a yogurt or cream mix including the spices and leave in the fridge for minimum an hour.  The marande can  then be used as a base for your sauce you can just add water and allow to simmer slowly.  

The longer you marande a meat the more the flavours will be infused. Many recipes say 12 hours or overnight (in the fridge of course). Also the slower you cook things the more this allows the flavours to infuse.

When you barbecue meat if you baste it with olive and brush with a bunch of fresh herbs. Then put the herbs on the coals you get a double whammy and a great smokey herby barbecue taste.

Don't be stingy with your herbs/spices.... the more you use the stronger the flavours.  It's trail and error to find your preferences....and never be scared to alter a recipe to suit your tastes and what you've got available...you never know you may discover a great variation of a recipe no ones ever tried before.

Answer 3

To add Flavour to your food...

You must

1- Season! season! season!'

2- I also like to marinate/ season meats over night, this really helps develop the flavour in your food!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I use dried oregano but if it's still tasteless use FRESH herbs they are much stronger and more aromatic etc.

Try adding a few handfuls of fresh basil to your bolognese sauce with a good shake of dried mixed herbs or dried oregano.

This should add flavour, and if you don't mind sodium, a stock cube can also liven things up. Dont be too afraid of salt and pepper.

Answer 5

Use fresh garlic, when you brown up garlic either in butter or olive oil the taste is amazing, also try using wine after cooking in a pan put a little wine in the pan to make a quick and easy wine sauce from the brine in the pan

Answer 6

Being Indian everything I make --- even non-Indian foods --- I add garlic and cayenne pepper, jalapenos and cumin...brings out the flavor...

Answer 7

Seasoning- salt and ground black pepper, and quality of ingredients. For example in bolognese are you using good stock? Budget brands are not good for stuff like that (or much really), taste the tinned tomatoes you use- are they full of flavour or watery? I also don't advocate buying expensive things, this is no guarentee, just use your taste test to see what is best. Lydls tomatoes are half the price of all the supermarket own brand and are great, for example. Good luck.

Oh yeah and sauces like this are much better if left overnight for the flavour to develop.

Answer 8

http://thefoody.com/basic/herbindex.html

Answer 9

Salt, salt, and salt.  If that doesn't work then add some fat.  You might not like the truth of it.  But that is what is probably missing from your food.

Answer 10

Add garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Some concentrated pastes help give a meal more lift too.?

Answer 11

Um you could try using herbs and sauces. Maybe try putting sauces, pastes or toppings on your dishes.