Super umami recipe to celebrate National Dessert Day

Credits: Umami Committee

Chef and nutritionist from the Umami Committee teaches step-by-step how to make a delicious tomato crumble

São Paulo, October 2022 – A complete menu is usually composed of a starter, main course, and dessert. The first dish introduces the concept of what’s to come. The second, as the name implies, is the main course — the one that brings flavors, textures, and quantity of food to their peak. However, the dessert is “the dish responsible for completing and finishing the harmony of the meal,” says chef and nutritionist from the Umami Committee, Lisiane Miura.

Dessert is so anticipated after meals and loved by Brazilians that it earned a special date on the calendar just for it. On October 9th, National Dessert Day is celebrated — and why not mark the occasion by preparing a super umami dish?

The nutritionist selected a delicious tomato crumble recipe that will surprise everyone. “Combining the umami of tomato with crumble, a dessert known mainly for its texture, creates a wonderful combination of flavors and textures,” explains Lisiane.

Check out this step-by-step recipe full of umami to celebrate this special date:

TOMATO CRUMBLE
(Preparation time: 50 minutes [+ 20 minutes in the oven])
Serves: 6 portions

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 kg ripe, firm tomatoes, peeled and cut in half lengthwise
• 750 g demerara sugar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (30 ml)
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice (60 ml)
• 1 piece of cinnamon stick
• zest of 1 lemon

Topping

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (220 g)
• ½ cup demerara sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and chopped (100 g)
• ½ cup chopped Brazil nuts (50 g)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (50 g)

Directions

1. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, place the tomatoes and add the sugar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Transfer to a large saucepan and cook over high heat, stirring gently so as not to break the tomatoes, for about 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes slightly thick and glossy.
3. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, place the flour, add the sugar and cold butter. Using your fingertips, mix until it forms a moist, crumbly texture. Add the nuts and mix again.
5. Assembly: In a medium buttered baking dish, arrange the tomato mixture and sprinkle the topping evenly over it. Bake in a preheated medium oven (180 °C / 350 °F) for 20 minutes or until the crumble is lightly golden.
6. Remove from oven and serve hot or warm. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream.

Tip: Of British origin, crumble is a type of tart with a crunchy crust and a filling made of apple, cinnamon, and various nuts, traditionally served warm as a dessert. Nowadays, crumble has gained new variations and unexpected ingredients with apple being replaced by tomato, which is rich in umami.

For more super umami recipes, visit https://www.portalumami.com.br/receitas/

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 from the University of Miami confirmed the existence of specific receptors for this taste on 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 food ingestion. To learn more, visit www.portalumami.com.br.