Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Umami

Umami.

I just love saying that word.

Umami.

But what does it mean?

Well, if you are the lucky winner of The Flexitarian Diet you will have the chance to read in depth, but here is what Dawn Jackson Blatner says of it:

"Umami is the Japanese word for savory or meaty.  It is considered the fifth taste (the first four are sweet, sour, salty and bitter) and is common in meats and fish but is also present in some vegetables.  When people cut meat out of their diets without replacing the umami taste, they can feel dissatisfied, as though something is missing.  It's not the meat-it's the umami!"

In her book, Jackson lists common vegetarian umami sources: beets, green peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes and many more.  Mushrooms are my favorite form of umami and we eat them regularly in the Vegan Faith house to satiate our taste for that savory meatiness.  One of the foods that Jackson doesn't list but I feel fits the umami profile very well are olives. 

Growing up I disliked olives and mushrooms very much.  Only since I have given up meat has my taste for these two foods developed.  Now I cannot get enough of them!

Olive Chick(en)pea Salad
Serves 3-4

You may have been introduced to my Chick(en)pea Salads through the Napa or Tomato-Basil variety, but here is a new one for you.  This meal would be a perfect No Meat Monday lunch.  It will satiate your flavor for umami while providing all the protein you need with chickpeas!  If you don't have a food processor you can use a fork or potato masher to mash chickpeas.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Print Recipe
Directions:

Drain and rinse canned chickpeas.  Place in food processor and pulse 5 or 6 times until chopped finely.  Add in olives and pulse 2 or 3 more times.  Remove food processor blade and stir in hummus.

Serve as a sandwich on whole grain bread, in a wrap or roll in lettuce leaves for a healthy, gluten free option.
This meal will fool your taste buds and satisfy your cravings for umami!  Enjoy!
Would you like to know the winner of The Flexitarian Diet?  Thank you for all who entered the contest and signed the pledge for NO MEAT MONDAYS!  You can look forward to many more delicious recipes each Monday and even special features from my fellow blends (blogging friends!)

Drum Roll Please...

The winner is Kelly!  I will get the book to you ASAP!

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