Umami Days: Cooking

Meaty with a dash of veggies

Side Dish

Herb and seed fried rice

Herb and seed fried rice
It’s cooked like Asian fried rice but the flavors and textures aren’t Asian at all. Garlic, basil, thyme and oregano form the flavor base. Flax, chia and hemp seeds provide the texture.
Keyword: Fried rice
Cook time: 7 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Baby potatoes with garlic butter sauce

Baby potatoes with garlic butter sauce
Crisp on the outside and soft inside, this potato side dish is herby, garlicky and buttery with just the right amount of tang.
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Tuna macaroni salad

Tuna macaroni salad
Toss boiled pasta, pineapple, pickle relish, celery, carrot, Japanese mayo and cheese, chill, garnish and enjoy. We love it with buttered toast.
Keyword: Macaroni
Cook time: 12 minutes
Servings: 8 people

18th century American macaroni and cheese

18th century American macaroni and cheese
When macaroni and cheese landed in America, Bechamel sauce wasn’t part of it. The dish consisted of layers of butter, pasta and cheese, and nothing more. Simple. Pure.
Keyword: Macaroni
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Ham and macaroni salad

Ham and macaroni salad
Boiled macaroni, cubes of salty ham and cheese, sweet crushed pineapple, pickle relish, sliced celery and chopped carrot are tossed with mayo to make this lovely pasta and meat salad.
Keyword: Leftover Christmas ham, Pasta salad
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Sweet sour eggplants

Sweet sour eggplants
Peeled eggplants are cubed, coated in batter, deep fried then braised in sweet sour sauce that thickens naturally as it reduces.
Keyword: Eggplant
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Squash and zucchini pancakes

Squash and zucchini pancakes
Even carnivores will appreciate this side dish (or snack) for its subtle garlicky and herby tones, and its rich butter flavor. The pancakes are made with grated squash, zucchini, panko, salt, thyme and garlic, and fried in a mixture of butter and olive oil on both sides until golden and crisp.
Keyword: Meatless
Cook time: 12 minutes
Servings: 6 pancakes

Sichuan-style potato stir fry

Sichuan-style potato stir fry
Inspired by a dish we enjoyed at a restaurant in Osaka (yes, in Osaka!), this Sichuan stir fried potatoes has a bit of heat, plenty of crunch and a ton of flavors. A great side dish!
Keyword: Sichuan, Spicy
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Shiitake and broccoli in soy garlic sauce

Shiitake and broccoli in soy garlic sauce
Parboiled shiitake and broccoli florets are tossed in soy garlic sauce thickened with potato starch. The addition of mirin makes this side dish subtly sweet.
Keyword: Meatless
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3 people

The ultimate Filipino fried rice (sinangag)

Fried rice (sinangag) with fried shallots and garlic, and sliced scallions
Fry shallots and garlic, then use the flavorful and aromatic oil to cook your rice. Serve your sinangag topped with the crispy shallots and garlic, and add sliced scallions for color and even more flavor.
Keyword: Fried rice
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people