Delicious Meets Healthy Festivities with the Umami Flavor!

The holidays are here, and Ajinomoto Philippines is sharing festive recipe ideas that you’ll love making and sharing with your loved ones!

This season is all about coming together around a meal, making memories, and enjoying delicious dishes—so why not celebrate with healthy and flavorful options?

Christmas dinners are the perfect time to indulge, but that doesn't mean they can't be nourishing too! As our gift to you, we’re bringing you Holiday Healthy Recipes that everyone in the family will enjoy. From fresh pastas to wholesome mains, these dishes are perfect for creating memories while eating well. Let’s Eat Well and Live Well to make this season healthy, bright, and full of flavor!

Vegan Meatball One-Pot Pasta

A busy holiday cook’s dream! This one-pot wonder is a plant-based dish everyone will love.

Steps:

Mix cauliflower, kangkong, tofu, garlic, AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, salt, and flour. Form into balls and pan-fry until golden brown.

Sauté garlic and onions, add tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook until soft. Add water and bring to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente.

Season with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Add the fried vegan meatballs, mix, and serve!

Malunggay Pesto Pasta

A bright, green, and healthy dish to balance out heavy holiday meals.

Steps:

Blend malunggay leaves, basil, garlic, peanuts, Parmesan, olive oil, AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, and pepper until smooth.

Toss cooked pasta with pesto, serve, and enjoy!

Lemongrass Chicken with Garlic Tamarind Sauce

A fragrant and tender dish, rich in Vitamin B6 and protein—a perfect holiday centerpiece.

Steps:

Marinate chicken with lemongrass, garlic, AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, calamansi, black pepper, and coco sugar. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Cook tamarind, garlic, coconut milk, water, AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, and coco sugar until thickened.

Grill the chicken for 5 minutes per side, serve with the sauce.

Chicken Cajun Pasta

Spicy and bold—this pasta is the perfect way to add some heat to your holiday table!

Steps:

Sauté chicken, onions, tomatoes, and French beans. Add penne pasta, cream cheese, Cajun seasoning (smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, and cayenne powder), and mix.

Cook for 3-5 minutes, serve with a garnish of spring onions.

Creamy Salmon Garlic

A show-stopping dish with tender salmon and a creamy garlic sauce, ideal for festive gatherings.

Steps:

Cook salmon until golden brown, then make a creamy garlic sauce.

Toss cooked pasta with sauce, serve with a garnish of spring onions, and enjoy!

The holidays are best enjoyed with food that brings people together. These nutritious and flavorful recipes are perfect for creating warm, joyful memories at your holiday table. As you prepare your festive meals, remember that the most important ingredient is the time spent with loved ones.

Happy Holidays, Ka-Cookmunity!

For more festive recipe ideas, visit Cookmunity by Ajinomoto Philippines. Connect with us on Facebook and Tiktok for updates and more delicious inspiration.