Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Marmite is a quintessential British foodstuff. Beginning production in 1902 at a factory in Burton, Staffordshire, this distinctive yeast extract quickly gained notoriety for its strong, savoury flavour. Although it is not very well known in the United States, Marmite is popular in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Africa, and hundreds of other locations around the world. Marmite is just one of those things that everyone seems to have somewhere in their kitchen.
While the most iconic use of Marmite is almost undoubtably on toast with a generous slice of sharp cheddar, limiting Marmite use to just this simple application is a sad waste of such a distinctive flavour.
On Potato Chips: Just as you might spread to tomato ketchup on some plain potato chips, try spreading some Marmite thinly on the surface of each fried potato fragment for a unique taste sensation. It tastes better and stronger than the manufactured Walkers variety and you get to control how much flavour goes on each chip.
To make Savoury Broth: Any football fan will tell you there’s nothing better than watching the game with a steaming hot mug of Borvil meat extract dissolved in some water. Although the taste is unique in itself, Marmite can be used in the same way to create a savoury broth. Anyway, ever since the mad cow disease scare, Borvil is made from modified vegetable extract recipe to begin with. You can enjoy your Marmite broth as it is, perfect for a cold winter day or as a substitute for early morning coffee. Even better, you can simply combine Marmite and water to create a quick soup base. Throw in some leftover meats and some diced vegetables to create a quick and easy soup to go, just heat up the mixture and pour it into a thermos.
As a Vegetarian Meat Substitute: One of Marmite’s characteristic qualities is its strong meaty flavour, known as umami in the culinary arts. Being both naturally vegetarian and vegan friendly, Marmite can be used to add a meaty flavour to almost any dish. Liven up your next crock-pot of vegetarian chili by simply stirring in a couple of teaspoons during the cooking process. Or, enhance any meat substitute by spreading some Marmite on the product before use. Veggieburgers will come out brown and tasty, while vegetarian sausages will turn caramelised and savoury. Remember that a little Marmite goes a long way.
There you have it, three interesting ways to use that that dark savoury spread. If you live in America and just can’t seem to find Marmite try going to a British specialty food store or order it online. Its use as a meat substitute more than warrants you to give it a try. With Marmite, you can add a meaty flavour to anything without adding the calories that come from meat. Give it a try, because you definitely haven’t tasted anything quite like my mate, Marmite.
