U is for Umami

Umami: the taste sensation that is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides (such as glutamate and aspartate) and has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes.  Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

One of my favorite ways to add Umami to a dish is with Miso.  Miso is a soybean-based paste that adds a savory, sweet/salty flavor to a dish.  I used some to make these delicious Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

U is for Umami......

My blogging friends and I get together every other Wednesday to share recipes that start or feature ingredients as we work our way through the alphabet. Let's take a look at the other U recipes being shared today........

• Faith, Hope, Love & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Fall Pear Ugly Duckling Cake (Cake Mix Recipe)
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• A Messy Kitchen: Sourdough Crumb Coffeecake 
• Food Lust People Love: Ugali - Savory Maize Meal Porridge 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Unicorn Popcorn 
• Blogghetti: Unicorn Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Upvasacha Cake 
• Culinary Cam: Urchin Butter 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Uzbek Rice with Beef and Carrots (Plov) 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: White Urad Dal 

Last year, for the Letter U, I shared a Black Forest Upside Down Cake.  In 2024, I shared a Ukrainian recipe, Cod in Tomato Sauce. 

Past 2026 Challenges

A  is for Apple Crumb Pie

B is for Beef and Noodles

C is for White Chicken Chili

D is for Ricotta Gnocchi

E is for Souper Easy Quiche

F is for Fondue

G is for Ham, Gruyere, and Spinach Packets

H is for Haluski

I is for Nutella Ice Cream

J is for Cowboy Candy

K is for Baby Kale Salad with Steak and Citrus Vinaigrette

L is for Grilled Greek Pork Chops

M is for Melon and Prosciutto Salad

N is for Chicken Caprese Noodle Salad

O is for Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail

P is for Yogurt Bowl Popsicles

Q is for Fresh Corn Quiche

R is for Grilled Ginger Chicken and Radishes

S is for Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

T is for Cheeseburger Tacos

Vegetables, Side Dishes, Holiday Sides, Sweet Potatoes, Glaze, Miso, Maple, Umami

Vegetable Sides

American

Yield: 4 servings

Author: Wendy Klik

Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes tossed in a Maple-Miso Glaze and roasted until tender.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

• 3 T. maple syrup
• 3 T. white miso
• 1 T. seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 t. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. water
• 2 sweet potatoes, cut into 1" rounds
• 2 T. vegetable oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 T. butter

Instructions

1. Whisk together the syrup, miso, vinegar, soy sauce, and water until smooth and combined.
2. Toss the potatoes with 1 Tablespoon of the oil. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the remaining oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook for about 3 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook for a minute or two more.
4. Add the butter to the skillet and cook until melted. Baste the potatoes with the melted butter.
5. Add the maple/miso mixture to the pan and bring to a simmer. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 425* oven and roast for about 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the liquid is reduced.
6. Transfer the potatoes to a serving platter. Whisk the glaze and pour it over the potatoes before serving.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe found in Delish.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

276

Fat (grams)

13 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

5 g

Carbs (grams)

36 g

Fiber (grams)

4 g

Net carbs

32 g

Sugar (grams)

15 g

Protein (grams)

4 g

Sodium (milligrams)

802 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

15 mg

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