Umami Lunchbox

For this meal idea, think “build your own bowl”, but with new and different ingredients. We take simple veggies like cabbage, carrots, cucumbers and green onions with the flavors of seaweed and soy sauce to create a colorful and balanced meal.

What is ‘Umami’? 

It is one of the basic taste categories, along with bitter, sour, sweet, and salt. Umami can be understood as something similar to savoriness, and typically correspond to glutamates. Some examples include ripened tomatoes, aged [parmesan] cheese, mushrooms, cured meats, miso and broths.

Let’s Do it!

1. Pick & Prepare Your Protein

Sauteed Tofu

Grilled Chicken Breast 

Grilled Chicken Thigh

1. Prepare Veggies

Shredded Cabbage

Thin-Sliced Carrots

Diced Cucumbers

Sliced Green Onions

Cilantro for topping

Quick Pickled Red Onions!

1 Large Red Onion, sliced thin vertically

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

½ cup White Vinegar

½ cup Water

2 teaspoons Salt

Bring everything to a low boil except the onion. 

Place sliced onion in a large jar. 

Pour hot liquid in the jar. Shake lightly to release air pockets.

Let marinade for about 30 minutes. 

Safe to keep in the fridge, sealed for up to 2 weeks.

1. Make the Peanut Sauce! A Fat-Based Sauce

½ cup Peanut Butter, unsweetened

2T Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos

1T Rice Vinegar

1T Brown Sugar

2 tsp Chili Garlic Sauce

1T Fresh Lime Juice

3 Cloves Garlic, Grated

1T Ginger Root, Grated

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. 

Add water, 1T at a time, until the desired texture is reached.

1. Other sources of Fats:

Diced Avocado

Sesame Oil

1. Great Starch Options:

Fresh Jasmine Rice

Rice Paper, use to wrap like spring rolls

Thin Rice Noodles

1. Sauces & Toppings

Rice Vinegar

Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos

Furikake Seasoning

Siracha

Red Pepper Flakes

Fish Sauce

1. Build your Bowl!