Skip to main content

Cozy Up to These Delightful Savory Recipes

can you make umami

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.
– Anne Bradstreet

Like many of us, you’re probably counting the days until spring weather arrives. But even if the calendar says spring is just around the corner, winter weather often extends well into April. That’s why it’s not too late to prepare a few tummy-warming, savory recipes that can help make a cold night more tolerable.

In place of more traditional cold weather comfort foods (e.g., chili, macaroni and cheese), why not try something different for a change? All of these hand-selected recipes below are loaded with umami savoriness that will make anyone’s taste buds smile, no matter the weather. You also don’t need any special culinary skills or unusual ingredients to prepare these recipes. By simply adding flavor-enhancing glutamate (in the form of umami seasoning), the dishes will be extra savory and extra delicious.

Whether you try one of these savory recipes or all of them, be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back again, regardless of the weather. Enjoy!

Savory Appetizers

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 18

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumb
  • 1 tsp. seasoning salt
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. minced dehydrated onion or 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. MSG
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 10 oz. jars grape jelly
  • 1 12 oz. jars chili sauce
  • 1 tsp. soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper optional

Instructions

  1. Combine first 9 ingredients thoroughly. Form into 3/4″ meatballs by using a melon-baller to scoop the meatballs; roll balls between the palms of your hands to shape them; set meatballs on a cookie sheet as you go, and chill to set them. NOTE: do not precook the meatballs.
  2. Combine jelly, chili sauce, soy sauce and ginger in a large deep skillet or serving pan over low heat. Stir until smooth and heat to boiling, stirring frequently.
  3. Add meatballs; bring back to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and cook over moderately low heat for at least 30-40 minutes, turning gently once.
  4. If desired, blot the surface of the sauce with paper towels to remove any grease. (Note: There should be little or no grease if you use lean ground beef.) If desired, adjust sauce seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

  5. Serve hot in a chafing dish or keep warm in a small crockpot.

Recipe Notes

Recipe courtesy of Food.com

Spinach Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 16

Ingredients

  • 48 fresh whole baby portabella or white mushrooms 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter
  • 1 package 8 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1 box 9 oz. frozen chopped spinach thawed, squeezed to drain
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper cayenne
  • ¼ tsp. MSG
  • ½ cup panko crispy bread crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove stems from mushroom caps; reserve caps. Discard stems.
  2. In large bowl, mix cream cheese, spinach, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the salt, both peppers and MSG until well blended.
  3. In small bowl, mix remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, the bread crumbs and butter.
  4. Spoon filling into mushroom caps, mounding slightly. Place mushrooms in ungreased 17×12-inch half-sheet pan. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over filled mushroom caps, pressing lightly.
  5. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Recipe Notes

Mushrooms, filling and topping can be prepared the day before, packaged separately and refrigerated. On the day of the party fill mushrooms, refrigerate, and then bake just before the party.

Parmesan Cheese: Levels of glutamate (1200mg/100g)

Mushrooms: Levels of glutamate (180 mg/100g)

Recipe courtesy of BettyCrocker.com 

Photo credit: Flickr user, Team WayLay

Black Bean Soup

This soup recipe was modified from The American Diabetes Association and The American Dietetic Association Family Cookbook Volume II. It is lower in sodium than that version yet has all the flavors you expect from a hearty soup such as this.
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 1-cup servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. dried black beans
  • 2 quarts water
  • 1 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped green pepper optional
  • 2 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 3/4 tsp. MSG
  • 1 dollop sour cream optional; 1 dollop per bowl

Instructions

  1. Presoak beans in water overnight or use quick-cook method on package.
  2. After soaking beans, add salt and bring to a boil; cover and simmer on low heat for 2 hours.
  3. Heat oil, add onions, and sauté about 5 minutes. Add green pepper and sauté until onions are tender.
  4. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add about 3/4 cup hot bean liquid, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  5. Add onion mixture to beans and continue to cook 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  6. Serve with rice, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Photo credit: Flickr user, K.B.R.

Recipe courtesy of MSGinfo.com

Savory Entrees

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 2 potatoes peeled, cubed and cooked
  • 2 ⁄3 cup frozen peas cooked
  • 2 carrots peeled, sliced and cooked
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onions
  • 2 cups cooked chicken
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
  • dash of salt and pepper
  • dash of monosodium glutamate MSG
  • refrigerated pie crust
  • melted butter

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine all vegetables and chicken; mix with the cream of chicken soup and seasonings.
  2. The mixture should be thick, but not too thick; if the mixture appears too thick, add very small amount milk to the mixture.
  3. Scoop the mixture into individual pie pans (pans are approximately 4” in diameter). Set aside.
  4. After laying out the pie crust on a clean surface, cut into 4-6 rounds that are large enough to top each pie.
  5. Place one piece of crust over the chicken mixture, crimp, then brush with melted butter.
  6. Bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 15 to 25 minutes or until pies are heated throughout and the crust is golden brown.

Peanutty Chicken with Rice

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
  • 1 scallion
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon monosodium glutamate MSG
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Few drops vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sherry
  • 1 slice fresh ginger minced
  • Few drops sesame seed oil
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 1/4 cup blanched peanuts
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot chili pepper flakes to taste
  • cooked rice

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken into small pieces (each should be a little larger than the peanuts). Mix chicken with salt, 1 teaspoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
  2. Split scallion lengthwise and cut into 1 inch sections. Cut garlic into slivers.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining soy sauce and cornstarch, MSG, sugar, vinegar, sherry, scallion, garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Set aside.
  4. Heat oil in frying pan. Add peanuts and stir until golden. Add hot pepper flakes, then chicken. Cook for 1 minute. Add the soy sauce mixture to the chicken and cook just until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  5. Serve over cooked rice.

Recipe Notes

photo credit: http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Recipes_Wiki

Country-Fried Steak and Gravy

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 tenderized beef round steak 4-ounce, often called cubed steak
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • teaspoons salt
  • 4 cups hot water
  • 1/2 teaspoon monosodium glutamate MSG
  • 1 bunch green onions or 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon House Seasoning recipe below

House Seasoning:

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1/4 cup black pepper
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1 side of the meat with one teaspoon of the House Seasoning and the other side with the seasoning salt, and then dredge the meat in the flour mixture.
  2. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 or 4 of the steaks to the hot oil, and fry until browned, about 5-6 minutes per side.
  3. Remove each steak to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining steaks, adding up to 1/4 cup more oil, as needed.
  4. Make the gravy by adding the 2 tablespoons remaining flour to the pan drippings, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the salt.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the flour is medium brown and the mixture is bubbly.
  6. Slowly add the water and the MSG, stirring constantly. Return the steaks to the skillet and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, and place the onions on top of the steaks. Cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes.

Recipe Notes

The House Seasoning can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Ann Lander’s Sister’s Meatloaf Recipe

This recipe is rumored to have been a favorite of the late Ann Lander’s sister! And just a teaspoon of MSG brings this family favorite to life!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. lean ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2  cups dry bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp. MSG
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 1 oz. pkg. dry onion soup mix
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F. 
  2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, eggs, crumbs, ketchup, MSG, water, and soup mix. 

  3. Mix well and spoon into a regular-size loaf pan. 

  4. Cover top with 2 slices of bacon, then pour tomato sauce over all. 

  5. Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour.

Recipe Notes

Recipe courtesy of Msginfo.com. 

Kaye is an author and consulting nutritionist with more than 15 years’ experience representing clients in the food industry, providing strategic leadership and consulting on meal planning, recipe development, consumer-focused educational materials relating to food and nutrition, science-based communications, and media relations. Read more about her background on the About page.

Leave a Reply