Not everyone can cook like Julia Child, but (sigh) how we wish we could. She had instincts about flavor that most of us will never possess. Ever wonder to yourself, “what is in this sauce that makes it taste so good?”  I know I do. Figuring out the magic isn’t as hard as you think. Many of our favorite comfort foods have a small amount of very basic ingredients– flavor boosters, if you will. You should have these in your pantry to transform your food go from so-so to magnificent. It really is so easy and you will be surprised by the flavor-punch they make.

Citrus Juices and Zest: Just a few teaspoons of lemon, lime, or orange juice will instantly brighten the flavor of your food. Use it in dressings, marinades, sauces, butters, or on vegetables. Try adding both the juice and the zest to layer the flavor even more.

Anchovy Paste: Controversial, I know, but hear me out. Anchovy paste has a deep savory flavor that, once incorporated into the dish, will not have a fishy flavor, I promise.  So even if you don’t like anchovies, you just might like the paste. Use it in sauces (especially red), stews, braises, marinades, or stews. 

Vinegar: It also will brighten the flavor of a dish. Red wine vinegar is tart and tangy, balsamic vinegar is sweet and rich, and apple cider vinegar has an apple flavor that pairs well with sauces, dressings, pork, or chicken.

Fresh Herbs: Throw in a bit of your favorite herb to make most dishes more vibrant. Fresh parsley is perfect for sauce. Mix it with a little bit of garlic, lemon juice, and zest to make any salad, meat or fish dish shine. Always remember to roughly chop your fresh herbs.  Resist the temptation to mince it to dust. 

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A truly perfect source of heat to spice up pasta sauces, vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower, and ceviche. Adding them at the beginning of a dish will give the entire dish some heat, adding them at the end will give your dish a more subtle, fruity, spicy edge. Either preparation is perfect for marinades and stir-fries.

High-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Keyword, “high quality.”  A really good olive oil highlights the flavor of any meal. Drizzle it on vegetables, cooked meats, over just made pasta and it will make a big difference in the taste. 

Now that you know some flavor boosters, this dish is a wonderful canvas for using some of them. This delicious pasta dish is the perfect comfort food. The butter, olive oil, and garlic add a pleasant, savory flavor. The cheese and sour cream offer a deliciously creamy texture. With that perfect amount of heat from the red pepper flakes, you have yourself one luxurious bowl of perfection.

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This recipe will serve 4 people who will want to know your flavoring secrets too!

Ingredients for Creamy, Radiatori Pasta:

3 cups uncooked radiator pasta (or any pasta that has curled edges)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons good olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons parsley
Dash crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons sour cream

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.

Meanwhile, in a medium pan (big enough to hold the pasta), melt butter.

Stir in the oil, flour, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes until blended, stirring continuously. 

Gradually add the milk and 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water.

Cook and stir until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat; stir in cheese and sour cream.

Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. I know I said it twice, but I don’t want you to forget!

Drain pasta; toss with sauce.

Add some remaining pasta water to thicken the sauce as much you would like.

It’s that simple!