Christmas Dinner: Chef Shows How to Prepare Easy and Tasty Sauces for a Joyful Night

Chef Lisiane Miura presents sauce combinations to add a special touch to the traditional ham

December 2020 – The most illuminated and welcoming time of the year has arrived, and with it comes all the preparation for a special Christmas Eve. Represented by appetizing banquets, Christmas dinner is a perfect time to show off culinary skills and surprise the whole family with delicious recipes. To innovate, it’s worth trying new ways to season traditional dishes.

Chef and nutritionist from the Umami Committee, Lisiane Miura, has selected three tasty sauce options to give the ham a ‘chef’s touch’ and make it even more delicious. “Pork, which provides umami, the fifth taste of the human palate, paired with these sauces, offers a delightful taste experience. A true explosion of flavors!” says Lisiane.

Check out the step-by-step for each recipe:

Bacon and Olive Oil Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsalted margarine (30 g)
• 1 packet of ready-made seasoning for meat or other flavor of your choice (5 g)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• ½ small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• ½ cup chopped bacon (50 g)
• ½ cup olive oil (100 ml)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, melt the margarine over low heat.
2. Add the seasoning and stir until creamy.
3. Add onion, bell pepper, parsley, and bacon; mix again.
4. Remove from heat and pour over the ham already in the baking dish.
5. Drizzle with olive oil, cover with aluminum foil, and bake following the package instructions.
6. Serve hot.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Passion Fruit and Rosemary Sauce

Ingredients

• Pulp of 1 passion fruit (60 g)
• 1 cup sparkling white wine (200 ml)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp unsalted margarine (15 g)
• 1 tbsp wheat flour (10 g)
• 1 sprig of rosemary

Directions

1. In a medium skillet, melt margarine over medium heat. Add onion, then wheat flour, and the juice from the roasted ham. Stir and cook for 5 minutes or until thickened.
2. Add the sparkling wine and stir.
3. Strain the passion fruit pulp and add the juice to the prepared sauce. Add rosemary and simmer over low heat until thick.
4. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Yogurt and Mustard Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp mustard
• 1 cup plain yogurt (170 g)
• ½ tsp salt
• A pinch of black pepper

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice, mustard, yogurt, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.
2. Remove ham from the oven, slice, garnish with sautéed mushrooms and tomatoes, and serve with the sauce on the side.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

UMAMI

It is the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda. It was scientifically recognized in 2000, when researchers at the University of Miami confirmed the existence of specific receptors for this taste in the taste buds. The amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleotides inosinate and guanylate are the main umami substances. The two main characteristics of umami are increased salivation and the persistence of taste for a few minutes after ingestion. To learn more, visit www.portalumami.com.br.