Meals out can give the family cook a welcome break. At times when the family can’t visit that favorite restaurant, the person in charge of planning meals may feel a little extra pressure to mix things up and deliver deliciousness every day. That’s when umami and the savory flavor it offers can be extra important—a big help in making meals special.

It may be a Japanese word, but umami is now universally recognized as the fifth taste, and it’s found in foods around the world, like mushrooms, asparagus, anchovies and tomatoes, to name just a few. On an extra busy Monday, why not put on a pot of Harira Soup, a favorite Mediterranean dish that uses tomatoes for an extra umami boost?