Veggie Food Lacking 'depth' Of Flavour

[shivvy]

My partner decided to go meat free approx 6 months ago so we have been eating vegetarian at home.
I do all the cooking and enjoy seeking out new and interesting recipes and have enjoyed cooking all veggie food.
However after a while I have found that most meals lack a certain depth of flavour. There is no doubt that they are all very tasty but just not very complex. I'm finding it hard to explain - but is it the fat in meat dishes that I am missing? ie the depth of flavour when you long cook cuts of meat such as in stews etc?

[Mamyalynne]

You're basically missing Umami, there are ways you can add some depth to your dishes.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-add-umami-flavor-to-vegan-dishes/

[shivvy]

Oh that looks like a really interesting article Mamyalynne.
I will have a proper read at it tomorrow but just at a glance it looks like I definately favour foods which are high in umami!

[Mamyalynne]

Me too, night.

[gingejbee]

There are easy ways to add "taste #5" (umami)....we've been using umami paste for two/three years. Waitrose even have an own-brand version....

http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=312397

[woofgang]

gingelbee, those may not be appropriate as they have got fish and cheese in.

[237SJ]

I would just use lots of herbs and spices. Veggie food in India is fantastic for that reason.

[gingejbee]

woof...I suppose it depends on how "meat-free" the OP has gone, but worth mentioning. It certainly livens up lots of (non-veggy) food!

[shivvy]

Yes I've seen the umami paste gingejbee but it usually contains garlic which I avoid.
I use loads of herbs and spices 237SJ which definitely make dishes very tasty but there is still that hard to explain depth that I miss.

[Mamyalynne]

Marmite or Mushroom Ketchup are very Umami.

[woofgang]

shivvy, take a look at the ingredients on the “umami” mixes and use the ones that you do like...you don’t need to buy the mix.

[-SharonA-]

Try adding depending on the dish, chilli paste, garlic or ginger paste, spicy ketchup, a mustard or even vegetable stock cube.

[Maydup]

I've just typed a chatty like minded veggie reply and lost it!
I have to go to work now, but you could try some of these.

http://www.veggiestuff.com/stocks-gravies/vecon-vegetable-stock-225g

http://www.veggiestuff.com/cooking-sauces/zest-vegan-pesto-sauce-340g

http://www.knorr.co.uk/product/detail/392260/vegetable-stock-pot

[shivvy]

Thanks everyone.
Sharon and Maydup - I definitely already use plenty of spices and stocks etc so I think it sounds like it's the umami that I'm missing.
Mamyalynne - I have had a good read of the info on the link you kindly shared and lots of it makes sense - roasting the nuts, fermented foods, mushrooms, soy sauce, balsamic etc. Thanks.