INDULGE’s Daily Dish: Bring savory umami flavor to your kitchen with this menu item from Pubbelly Sushi

Known in the culinary world as the fifth taste (beside sweet, bitter, salty, and sour) umami — from the Japanese word meaning “savory” — is best described as a rich or meaty flavor that is often found in meats and certain vegetables. Chef José Mendin knows a thing or two about the importance of a good umami experience, which he incorporates into many of the dishes he creates at his Pubbelly Sushi spots across South Florida. One such item, the menu’s Mushroom Toban, makes for a more exciting and equally comforting replacement to common side dishes typically made at home. Pro tip: skip the mashed potatoes or roasted veggies tonight and take a page from Mendin’s book. Much like the umami flavors that burst through this Japanese-inspired dish, its recipe is an essential you never knew you needed.

Pubbelly Sushi’s Mushroom Toban

Ingredients:

2.5 oz Maitake mushrooms

2.5 oz White Beech (Shimeji) mushrooms

2 oz Enoki mushrooms

2 tbsp Garlic chips

1 tbsp Chives

5 oz Yuzu soy sauce

1 cup Coconut Milk

1 oz Sake

1 tbsp Yuzu juice

1 clove Garlic (sliced)

3 tbsp Grapeseed oil (if available) or Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt

Preparation:

Begin by removing the bottom stems of Shiitake mushrooms and cutting them into halves. Cut the bottom of the White Beech (Shimeji) mushrooms and separate the pieces by hand. Follow that by cutting 1 inch off the bottom of the Enoki mushrooms. Add the oil and the sliced garlic to a hot sauté pan. Pour in the mushrooms mix, starting with the bigger ones first. Once everything is softened and well combined, pour in the sake, coconut milk and Yuzu soy sauce. Reduce the heat. Add salt before removing from pan. Move to a Toban dish (or something similar) and splash a bit of Yuzu juice for added flavor. Garnish with chives and garlic chips.

Pubbelly Sushi is offering takeout and delivery options, which can be viewed and ordered directly on their website. For more information and news, follow them on Instagram at @pubbellyglobal.

This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 11:44 AM.