James Beard Award-winning chef Katie Button reveals a quick, no-fuss way to make store-bought stock taste rich and full-bodied, transforming everyday soups, sauces, and rice dishes.
- Use anchovy paste or miso to boost umami in stock
- Adjust seasoning carefully to avoid over-salting
- Works well in rice, soups, and braised dishes
What happened
Chef Katie Button, known for her award-winning culinary skills and Spanish-inspired dishes, faced a common kitchen dilemma: her store-bought chicken stock tasted flat during a last-minute dinner. Rather than start a lengthy simmer from scratch, she improvised with a secret ingredient she already had handy.
She discovered that stirring a small amount of anchovy paste or miso into heated store-bought stock instantly enriched the flavor, mimicking the complexity of homemade stock. This quick fix has since changed how she approaches quick cooking at home, making it easier and tastier without the time investment.
Why it feels good
Depth of flavor often comes from umami, the subtle, savory taste that gives dishes their rich complexity. By adding anchovy paste or miso, Button found a natural way to enhance this quality in stock without adding a fishy taste or overpowering the dish.
For those who prefer vegetarian options, miso offers a similarly rich umami boost. Button recommends using red miso for heartier dishes and white miso for lighter meals. This technique allows cooks to enjoy the comforting depth of homemade broth flavors even on busy weeknights.
What to enjoy or watch next
This fortified stock works beautifully in a variety of dishes, particularly rice-based meals like arroz con cosas, a flexible one-pot dish inspired by paella. Button also suggests trying it in risotto, braised meats, soups, and pan sauces to amplify flavor.
As a cooking shortcut advocate, Button encourages home cooks to embrace convenience with clever tweaks like this one, and to prep ingredients in advance for time-saving weeknight meals. Her approach shows you don't have to sacrifice flavor to cook quickly and with ease.