We all know the flavors salty, sweet, bitter, and sour. But there is one more! Labeled by a Japanese chemist in the early 1900s, Umami, or the fifth taste, is magic in food seasoning. The New Yorker points out that Umami completes the basic human tastes. It can be described as a full-bodied, meaty flavor. Umami powder is an array of seasoning spices that complement various food smoking recipes. The taste is so distinct and satisfying that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a breakfast or dinner recipe. Though a popular spice, most people find it challenging to figure out how to use Umami powder in food smoking.
Using Umami
Here are some quick tips you should know on using umami.
- Eggs, meat, vegetables, soups, and seafood are some of the recipes that go best with Umami seasoning.
- The taste level varies from person to person, just like with other spices.
- Reduce the amount of salt you normally use when using Umami. The powder’s sodium level is two times less than ordinary table salt.
- You can add the powder during the initial seasoning or during the actual cooking.
- Umami goes well with salty foods and has less of an impact on bitter or sweet foods.
5 Simple Ways to Use Umami Powder in Food Smoking
1. On brisket rub
Brisket is undoubtedly one of the best beef cuts for smoking. It requires low and slow cooking to turn the tough piece of chest muscle into a tender, tasty, delicious piece. This makes it ideal for prolonged smoking.
You can either marinate the brisket overnight or apply a dry rub minutes before smoking. In the rubbing process, using the umami powder will bring in that distinct, magical taste. Umami powder is a dried mushroom powder for enhancing the flavor and adds an exquisite flavor and depth to your rub. All you need is to mix the ingredients in a bowl to make a rub and then polish the brisket with it. You can also use the Umami powder in soups, dips, and vegetables to accompany the ready meal.
Smoking brisket can take from 12 to 20 hrs. depending on the size of the piece and will be ready when it achieves an internal temperature of between 190–205 degrees Fahrenheit (88 – 95 degrees C.). Using a Bradley Smoker for this will make the process much easier.
2. On vegetables
Cabbage is one of the commonly smoked veggies, and Umami powder is perfect to spice up the savory side of it. All you need is the cabbage, a few of your favorite spices, and of course Umami powder. Make a cut on the cabbage near its attachment to the stem, fill the hole with butter, add proportionate amounts of spices mixed with the Umami powder, and coat the cabbage with olive oil.
Place your cabbage in the Bradley smoker set at 250 degrees F. (about 116 degrees C.) and then smoke it for about 2-3 hours depending on the size of the cabbage.
Once ready, you can chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces and toss them with onion stuffing. You can also choose to add a preheated BBQ sauce.
3. Eggs
Smoking eggs is relatively easy, and you will be making these a dozen times as snacks for breakfast or even for tossing into salads. The savory taste is even better when you include Umami powder in your list of ingredients.
Here’s how to make smoked eggs with the fifth taste at home.
- First, you will need to gather all your favorite ingredients, including mayonnaise, hot sauce, salt, pepper, eggs, and Umami powder.
- Start by boiling the eggs in a pot, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for five minutes.
- Once ready, peel them and place them on a rack in a preheated smoker at 200 degrees F. (about 93 degrees C.).
- Allow them to smoke for about 25-30 minutes using Bradley Bisquettes.
- In the meantime, mix all the other ingredients and ensure they are perfectly blended.
- Scoop or pipe the filling into the whites and place them in a fridge for about 3 hours or overnight.
- Once ready, you can garnish them with paprika or sliced green onions.
4. Pork Rub
We all know how great smoked pork chops are when done perfectly. This classic dish gets even tastier if you add Umami powder to your bowl when mixing the ingredients. All you need to do is to rub the spice mixture all over the pork chops. We recommend the Mesquite flavored Bradley Bisquettes, as they will blend perfectly with the Umami and give you an irresistible taste.
Place your thoroughly rubbed pork chops in a preheated smoker at 250 degrees F. (about 116 degrees C.) and allow them to smoke for about two hours. You can serve them warm once ready.
5. Seasoning a chicken
Umami powder can be a perfect ingredient for making a rub to season chicken. It blends well with most of the other ingredients you choose to use. Mix them all and rub the mixture on the chicken.
Place your full chicken in a preheated Bradley smoker set at 250 degrees F. (about 116 degrees C.) and allow it to smoke for 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. Monitor the internal temperature closely, and your chicken will be ready at 170 degrees F. (about 77 degrees C.).
For more fantastic ideas on how to get the most of your Bradley smoker, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Food Smoking Blog for more tips and tricks.
