My Mother’s Secret Ingredient Makes Every thing Style Higher

The primary time I made one in all my mother’s recipes—a stir-fry of tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, and pork spareribs—I puzzled why it did not style just like the model I might eaten rising up. It was good, however lacked a sure depth of taste. This occurred each time I recreated one in all my childhood favorites, whether or not braised brisket, tofu and greens, or one thing so simple as congee. These dishes had been staples at my mother and father’ dinner desk. And but, my renditions at all times appeared to be lacking one thing. I could not ask my mother—she has Alzheimer’s illness—and nobody else in my household was in a position to assist. I chalked it as much as nostalgia and style reminiscences taking part in tips on me—till I poked round my mother and father’ kitchen in Hong Kong.

Opening drawers and cupboards to look at spices and seasonings, I discovered a number of containers of Lee Kum Kee Rooster Bouillon Powder. I dipped my finger in for a style and instantly acknowledged the wealthy, deeply savory notes of poultry. That is when it occurred to me: My mother should have seasoned all her cooking with rooster bouillon powder, and this was the key ingredient I might been lacking all alongside.

Made with salt, flavor-enhancing MSG, dehydrated rooster meat, sugar, rooster fats, and yeast extract (plus different components and taste enhancers), Lee Kum Kee’s rooster bouillon powder is a fast shortcut for including umami to no matter you are cooking. Most Western-style rooster broths and bouillon powders comprise aromatics reminiscent of onion, garlic, celery, and/or carrot. Whereas these components give the bouillon a candy, vegetal notice that works properly with American dishes reminiscent of rooster soup and casseroles, that taste profile does not at all times swimsuit Chinese language cooking. 

As a result of Lee Kum Kee’s rooster bouillon powder does not comprise any aromatics, it is extremely versatile and will be simply included into a variety of dishes. I exploit it to make fast soup bases or sauces for noodles, dumplings, and greens, in addition to to season and marinate meat. A beneficiant pinch additionally enhances the flavour of braises, stews, and stir-fries, delivering a potent increase of umami. To stop my cooking from turning into overly salty, I begin with a lightweight hand with different salty components like soy sauce; style and regulate as I am going; and dilute with further water if wanted.

This rooster powder was my mother’s immediate improve for all the pieces, and now it is the explanation my cooking is nearly pretty much as good as hers.