Savoury Ways to Make the Most of Marmite

While writing my Marmite ice cream post (including lovely Marmite on Toast Ice Cream), a while ago I found I had much more to say about this lovely, savoury spread so here are some more normal ways to make the most of Marmite (or Vegemite!)

A WORD OF WARNING – in all cases when cooking with Marmite be very cautious when seasoning; it is so salty in its own right you probably won’t need any other salt – add the Marmite before seasoning.

Great Ways to use Marmite
(other than ice cream!)

Marmite with Meat …

In addition to saltiness Marmite is umami-rich which also known as very-savoury! This being the case it is useful for boosting the flavour of meaty dishes in general and it goes particularly well with beef dishes. Beefy soups such French Onion Soup can be seasoned with Marmite instead of salt or add a little to beef stews and braises or to quickly made pan sauces.

Vegetarians and Vegans …

Surprisingly, judging by its taste, Marmite is vegan so is also good for boosting the taste of vegetarian and vegan dishes.  See here for more about seasoning with umami.

Cheese and Marmite Tear ‘n’ Share Bread

~   See here for how to make Tear and Share Bread and use method 1.
~   After the first rising of the dough add 100g grated cheese (I prefer strong cheddar but other cheeses work too). 
~   Melt 100g butter and stir in 2 teaspoons of Marmite.
~   Knead into the dough and then divide into pieces and roll them into balls.
~   Butter an appropriate pan and then dip the balls into the Marmite butter and arrange in the pan.
~   After the second rising, before baking, drizzle the balls with any leftover Marmite butter and sprinkle with a little more grated cheese.

Cheddar & Marmite Scones

See here for my Basic Scone Recipe, and leave out the sugar. Make the dough mixing in 75g/3oz grated cheddar after rubbing in the fat. Stir 1 tsp of Marmite into the milk before mixing into the flour/ butter/ cheese mix. Maybe, if you feel like it, brush with butter or cream and sprinkle with a little extra cheese.

Marmite Dumplings

Add 1 teaspoon of Marmite to the milk before mixing into the flour and butter in this dumpling recipe. (You may notice that this is much the same recipe as scones – such is the beauty of this useful dough!)

Marmite Roast Potatoes

~   Use floury potatoes such as King Edward or Maris Piper rather than waxy.
~   Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/200ºC fan/gas 7.
~   Peel and cut the potatoes into largish similar sized chunks.
~   Cover the potatoes with cold water, add a little salt and bring to the boil.
~   Put a 6mm/¼” layer of vegetable oil (butter won’t work here) into a shallow baking dish large enough to take all the potatoes spaced out in one layer.
~   Stir in 1 tsp Marmite.
~   Put the pan of oil in the oven so it will be good and hot when you add the potatoes.
~   When the potatoes come to a boil turn down the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
~   Drain the potatoes well, return to their pan, put on the lid and give them a shake. This will roughen them up a bit and create more crunch when they are finished.
~   Carefully decant the potatoes into the hot oil, spread out not touching in one layer and roast till gorgeous which should take 45 minutes or so.

5 More Easy Marmite Ideas

~  Spread on toast before topping with poached or scrambled eggs.
~ Season homemade hummus and other bean dips with this savoury yeast paste.
~ Add a little marmite to the mix when making homemade burgers.
~ Marmite Butter – mix together 60g very soft butter and 1 tablespoon of Marmite and slather on sweet corn, mash into baked potatoes or simply spread on toast. See more ideas for flavoured butters here.
~ Nigella’s very simple Marmite pasta.

More Interesting Marmite Info …

For some more unusual ways to use Marmite see here

10 good reasons to eat Marmite apart from its delicious taste

Make your own Marmite!