[product highlight] umami paste

If you're like me, there are some products you stumble upon at the grocery store that you want to tell people about because they're so good.  I've decided I need to do more of that, hence this post.

When I found this umami paste at TJ's, it was calling my name and I had to try it!  I have a highly umami palate and love finding fun sauces/pastes that add quick and easy flavor to dishes.  And this stuff did not disappoint.  I love it.  I'll squirt it in tomato sauces, curries, stir-fry's... things like that.  It adds a nice saltiness and richness.  

[side note: if you don't live by TJ's... first, I'm sorry, second, if you really want to try this let me know and I might just mail you one 😁]

Here's a soup I made this week that used the umami paste.  It's almost soup season, but sometimes the things that need used up in my fridge just scream for me to make soup out of them... and I think I'm one of those people that can really eat soup anytime.  This one was super flavorful and delicious.  I'm not much of a recipe repeater, but I think I'll definitely make this again.  Hope you love it if you try it!

How to make the soup:

2 T. bacon grease *

one onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. pepper & paprika

Saute onion and garlic in bacon grease for a few minutes, then add spices and cook a few more minutes until the onions start to get tender.  I wanted to add red wine but didn't have any open... if you do I would recommend adding a big splash at this point.

4-5 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1/2 c. sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

squeeze of umami paste, about 1 T.

Add in these ingredients and saute a few more minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.

1c. green lentils

~ 4c. chicken broth

Add lentils and broth.  Cover and simmer until lentils are almost tender.  You could start with 3 c. of broth and add more as needed.  My lentils needed about 4 c. of broth, but I also made my soup pretty thick.

2 c. chopped cooked chicken (optional)

big handful chopped fresh basil

Add in the chicken and basil and cook just until the lentils are tender.  

* or any type of fat if you're not wise enough to save your bacon grease... my husband was delighted when I started doing that and I felt like my mom 😜

** between the umami paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth, I didn't have to add any extra salt, but add to your taste if needed