Frequently Overlooked Cooking Basics

The Real Italian Debate On Salting Pasta Water: Not "If" But "When"

http://qz.com/265055/the-real-italian-debate-on-salty-pasta-water-not-if-but-when/

Alan: If you haven't roasted entire garlic bulbs, the flavor is unique and - to my palate - reminiscent of soft cheese. Roasted garlic mashed with potatoes is well worth trying.

The nearly universal flavor enhancement of garlic is pretty much mirrored by the flavor enhancement of onions.

Use curry powder as a secondary ingredient to impart non-dominant flavor to many dishes, particularly stir fries.

10 Ingredients to Make Your Soups Even More Delicious

Alan: I have not tried the V8 suggestion below but it sounds solid.
BTW... Walmart's "Good Value" brand offers a V8 equivalent at less than half the price of "the name brand."
My sister and I (who are both life-long V8 drinkers) prefer the Good Value equivalent to V8.

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Soup too salty? Or does it need just a little extra oomph? Try one of these tips.

• 10 Simple Ingredients to Make Your Soups Even More Delicious
• Stir Some Greens into Your Soup
• Add V8 to Soup!
• Add Whole Stems of Thyme to Soups
• Flavor Soups with Cheese Rinds
• Save Shiitake Mushroom Stems for Soups!

Alan: Adding peanut butter may not always enhance the flavor of sauces and stews but the frequent use of peanuts in Thai cooking indicate that it is an overlooked ingredient.

Taming an onion's bite: http://blog.blueapron.com/how-to-tame-an-onions-bite/