Is there a way to boost the flavor if you only have white miso on hand!

Katherine Steiger
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Miso & Butternut Squash Pasta
Recipe question for: Miso & Butternut Squash Pasta

3 Comments

umair2589 October 12, 2023
White miso, known for its mild and sweet flavor, can be enhanced in various ways. Combine it with umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce or dried mushrooms, or add aromatics such as garlic and ginger. Citrus zest, sesame oil, and fresh herbs like cilantro can provide added depth. Vinegar introduces tanginess, and using miso in soups or stews ensures even distribution. Experiment with these suggestions to elevate the taste of dishes when white miso is your primary option, and adjust seasonings to suit your preferences. The versatility of white miso makes it a valuable ingredient for flavor enhancement.
 
702551 October 11, 2023
Assuming you don't want to run to the store to buy a single ingredient for a one-off recipe modification (that will sit in your cupboard for years), I suggest using something you already have.

I'd probably try soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce in small amounts. Or I might just stick with white miso which I like. As long as I put something on the dinner table that my guests enjoy, that's really the point.

This is a non-traditional recipe anyhow, it's not like some sort of classic that has been served in trattorias in Italy for generations. Your dinner table guests will have no idea you fudged the recipe because there's no authenticity.

Best of luck.
 
Nancy October 12, 2023
In addition the the parmesan/nutritional yeast mentioned in the recipe, and the soy & Worcestershire mentioned above, other possible flavor boosters:
* fish sauce or anchovy paste
* Chinese sweet bean paste
* Hoisin sauce
* Umeboshi paste (or plums).
They will each give different notes - sweet, salty, sour.
 
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