We all love different flavors in our food. Sometimes , adding more fat may seem to add more savoriness in a recipe but believe me , that feeling is not long-lasting . There can be several ways to add more flavor without adding fat ,salt or sugar !

Following are a few ingredients which come in handy and instantly add more flavor to any dish :

Roasted onions : Make your recipe taste like onion fries! Roast onions in bulk and freeze. Then use as and when you want in soups,curries,snacks,sandwiches etc .

Roasted tomatoes : Roast tomatoes and refrigerate or freeze. Add at the end to perk up flavor in soup ,sandwiches , pilafs or main course recipes.

Lemon or Vinegar : Add these for tartness in any food . It is a very fulfilling flavor . Adding lemon to salty as well as sweet recipes gives them a whole new twist !

Garlic: Crush , shred or cut garlic in small pieces and the roast on simmered flame. Roasting brings out true flavors of Garlic. Sprinkle it as per taste in your main course meals.

Ginger : Ginger is a well known staple for Chinese and Indian recipes. It adds a subtle hot flavor to food. Shred or cut into small pieces and boil for a most flavorful addition.

Fresh crushed black pepper or white pepper : Pepper has its own distinct aroma and flavor. It is hot so you may use it as per your tolerance.Fresh crushed pepper is always better in its texture and taste. So if you have a pepper mill then that works great! Otherwise use pre-crushed pepper ! After cooking any soup or grilling veggies, just crush/sprinkle a little pepper over it . And it will have an instantly elevated aroma . 

Frozen fruit:  Add to pancakes , waffles , salads instead of adding sugar or syrup.

Roasted or fresh herbs : Herbs like Coriander , Parsley , Oregano,Thyme,Rosemary and so many others add a beautiful flavor as well as health benefits. For example, coriander aids in digestion and it has fiber and antioxidents in high density. Just chop these herbs and sprinkle over any soup, steamed veggies, or even snacks for a different and spiked up flavor ! 

Powdered dry spices : Spices like powdered Cumin,Bay-leaf,Cloves,Cinnamon etc. are generally very strong flavored. So even a pinch of  powdered spices can add a lot to your recipe. Most of the spices are mentioned in Ayurveda as having medicinal effects on our health. For example cumin, turmeric , cloves have a largely positive effect on the digestion of food they are mixed in. They also help in relieving gas troubles.Powdered spices can be used as per your tolerance just like herbs. Add roasted powdered cumin to plain yogurt and you'll love the taste ! You'll never want to eat sweetened yogurt again !!

Grilled veggies: use grilled zuccini or grilled squash instead of butter on sandwich. They have a creamy and sweet flavor.

Fresh fruit juice  : Add natural sweetness to anything with a little fresh juice from any of your favourite fruit like Apple, Orange , Grapefruit etc. Beside adding a great taste, they will be adding natural sugar and a lot of minerals . I spray apple juice on my pancake for natural sweetness while it is still cooking. Yum !

Chives : Gives a distinct flavor when added to any soup our main course recipe. Great tasting when roasted.

Avocado purée : Replace heavy cream in any recipe with Avocado puree for added flavor and big health benefits of good fats.

The biggest time saver ? Roasted Onions, Roasted Herbs, Roasted Tomatoes , Roasted Garlic, Avocado Puree , Chopped chives,Grilled Veggies and more of whatever you can think of can be frozen in small zip-locks and can be used instantly when needed. If once prepared, will give you immense plesure by adding flavor to your food without adding extra Fat or Sugar or Salt !!! 

What do you add for instant flavor to your recipes  !? 

Image Credits @Paul