Cover Image: Umami Bomb

Umami Bomb

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Solidly written, inventive, and fun in a way that vegetarian (or mostly vegetarian) cookbooks often aren't. This was a hit!

Was this review helpful?

This is a good book for someone who is looking for something new and more vegan/vegetarian. I think the recipes are pretty easy to follow and most ingredients you can find in your local market. I will be trying some of these recipes in the near future. The only thing that I wish was that there were more recipes that weren't just vegan/vegetarian. There is enough of a variety though that would keep you busy for a while in trying all these new flavors!

Was this review helpful?

Wow - I love cookbooks but this stands out from the rest and this coming from a meat eater who wants to add more meatless meals to the family table.

The pictures - exceptional and truly entice you to read the recipe and move to try them.

I really liked the education of umami and the foods which enable us to enjoy the "savory" sense.

Well done.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair review.

In closing - yes I would buy this cookbook!

Was this review helpful?

Umami Bomb is a great cookbook everyone should have!! This should be your go-to guide for infusing every meal with an abundance of healthy flavors.

Very easy to follow and great illustrations make this the perfect addition to your collection of cookbooks.

Was this review helpful?

So, I’m not sure I’d eat these recipes, they’re a little over the top. But I enjoyed reading the book. Sure makes me think some people really go all out for dinner.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Fun Concept

I found this to be a fun vegetarian cookbook. Umami doesn't need to be restricted to only meat or fish-based ingredients like bacon and anchovies! In this book, this author shares recipes that feature what she considers to be vegetarian umami, like aged cheeses, soy sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and miso. The recipes don't appear difficult and include main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and even bread. If you're looking to add a little more flavor and culinary satisfaction to your vegetarian dinner and lunch options, you might want to take a peek at this book.

Was this review helpful?

I have always loved learning about different food and I can't wait to try lots of new recipes with this book.

Was this review helpful?

It is high time that umami, that 5th "flavor," got its own cookbook! Not only are the recipes delicious, but we learn about umami and the foods that have it (and in my case, why I like those foods).

Was this review helpful?

This book or guide was absolutely amazing with creativity!
Images were nice and the writing was easy and familiar.

Was this review helpful?

Everyone needs more umami. Not just because it's the shiny new idea on this side of the Pacific, but because it's good! I heartily recommend this for all types of diets, but mostly for veggies, like me, who need high flavor dishes that aren't just meat and fat! Umami bomb me!

Was this review helpful?

Come on, who doesn't love umami? I know I do. And if you eat vegetarian or vegan, it can be hard to get much umami in your food. So here is this cookbook to the rescue!

Pelzel organizes the book into eight chapters, each focused on a particular ingredient that is known for its umami qualities: parmesan cheese, soy sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, caramelized onions, miso, smoke, and nutritional yeast. There's also a small bonus section at the end, with three recipes that include fish. There are recipes for breakfast ("Crispy Cheddar Cheese Waffles"), lunch ("Sick Day Tomato Soup"), dinner ("Veg and Cornbread Bake"), and dessert ("No Reason Chocolate Cake"); there are complicated recipes ("Grilled Pizza with Sausage-Spiced Mushrooms, Peppers, and Onions") and simple ones ("Quick Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese"); there are are snacks ("Smoky Sesame Caramel Corn") and full meals ("Chili Shepherd's Pie").

<I>Umami Bomb</i> is a lovely production, with big photos, easy-to-follow instructions, and nice introductions for every single recipe. An all-around great cookbook.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3073043447

Was this review helpful?

I was attracted to this book by it's title. I was expecting an explosion of flavor when I tried some of the recipes...and I got it! They were truly delicious. The kind of food that makes you close your eyes and savor.
Looking forward to try several more. I am not a vegetarian and I enjoyed them very much.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you, Quarto, for allowing me to preview this book. Most recipes sounded scrumptious and I was salivating throughout. Not only did I preorder a digital copy for myself, but I am getting a physical copy for my mom as well.

Was this review helpful?

Very cool book with some great recipes. I really liked learning about why different ingredients pump up the umami flavor!

Was this review helpful?

This ode to umami is well-organized and features clear instructions and appealing photographs. Although different types of umami may be melded here, Pelzel is definitely all about the highlighting of one particular type. The recipes are not overly complex, but they deliver a lot of bang for the buck. There's a range, of course, but a majority of the recipes could be tackled by the average cook on a weeknight.

Was this review helpful?

This book will please vegetarians and meat-eaters alike! Pelzel takes your taste buds on an adventure through eight different umami-rich ingredients: parm & other aged cheeses, soy sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, caramelized onions, miso, smoke, and nutritional yeast (with a bonus chapter on fish). All the recipes that I tried were bursting with flavor and required ingredients that I already had. You may need to get some nutritional yeast and miso, but it will be well worth it! This one is definitely on my purchase list.

Was this review helpful?

Who'd have thought to use soy sauce in chocolate frosting? Pelzel offers a new perspective on vegetarian cooking with these fairly simple but very creative (and tasty!) recipes. Home cooks will discover new ways to utilitze popular vegetarian flavors without breaking the bank or spending their entire evening making a meal.

Was this review helpful?

Umami isn't a flavor I've put a lot of thought into, but looking through this book I've got to admit a lot of it appeals to me. Tomatoes, mushrooms, certain cheeses. Delicious. I appreciated that most of these recipes use "regular people" ingredients, nothing you'd have to hunt for at a specialty store. Lots of options for adjusting or personalizing the recipes too. WIth a wide range of recipe types and skill levels, there's a little something for everyone.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my goodness, these full page color recipes look delectable.
I am so excited to try these new to me food recipes.
The vegetarian and some vegan recipes will excite your taste buds.
I am always on the lookout for vegan/vegetarian recipes and this is packed full of them but does include a fish section as well.
Definition of unami- "Umami definition is - 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 : savory."
Yes please sounds scrumptious but do leave the meat out of mine.
I can not wait to try these recipes.

Published September 3rd 2019 by Workman Publishing Company.
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The format of this was great and the pictures looked very attractive. The recipes were not too difficult and packed good flavor.

Was this review helpful?