There are so many cooking chefs, programs, books and blogs. All make great food and some even teach us how to cook simple (Jamies 5 ingredients, Delia’s cheat, etc.). All have a little, often kept, secret to add tastiness, but these are not well known. A few of mine.
Italian tomato sauce
Secret: Umami i.e. anchovies, Worcester sauce and mushrooms , Good quality tomatoes work well (Mutti) and acidity at the end with capers and a squeeze of lemon juice. Enhanced flavour with bay leaves.
Indian dahl
Secret: sweetness, cherry tomatoes or a little ketchup.
Home made pesto
Secret: Xtra-garlic
Portuguese codfish (Bacalhau)
Secret: Bay leaves, add garlic as raw marinate and at the end. The cream variant (con natas) works very well with Tabasco when eating, as does freshly ground black pepper, just a touch.
Scrambled Eggs
Secret: Ketchup and finely chopped onions. Little chilli for Mexican version.