The most foodie time of the year is here: the holidays! We get pretty excited about the hearty dishes and bounty of produce that fall and winter brings, from traditional Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin everything to in-season delights like fresh crab and cold-weather fruits, like apples, pears, pomegranates and all sorts of citrus.
Even when not tempted by Christmas cookies and double-crust pies, humans tend to naturally eat more in the winter. Chilly temps signal our body to load up on calories, which is what gives us the extra energy needed to get and stay warm. So it makes sense to seek out hot, filling meals – except filling isn’t much fun without delicious. That’s where umami comes in!
Known as the fifth taste – along with sweet, sour, bitter and salty – umami is what gives foods their savory, satisfying feeling. Adding umami to your holiday cooking not only amps up the flavor, it also makes you feel more full, making overeating less likely. Turkey coma be gone!
5 Easy Holiday Sides with Seaweed:
1. We like to make Seaweed Creamed Greens instead of the traditional creamed spinach, which can be a soggy mess that’s more cream than green. Our version is super rich and still creamy, but packed with a variety of healthy greens like kale, chard and seaweed. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-carb and comes together in less than 30 minutes!
6. BONUS RECIPE - You can also make nori simple syrup: first, steep some nori in water - how long depends on your taste. Strain out any solids, and then use the nori-water to make a regular simple syrup (combine with equal parts cane sugar over heat until fully dissolved). Refrigerate and use with your imagination!
We wish you a tasty, happy, marvelous holiday season. May it be full of good times – and satisfyingly good food! – enjoy with the folks you love.
