Dashi Stock (Konbudashi)
Dashi is the basic stock used in most all Japanese cooking. Dashi stock is the base for miso soup. This recipe is for a Konbudashi, which is made with konbu (dried kelp/seaweed) and bonito flakes (a dried fish which has been shaved into flakes.) There are many variations of dashi, but this is probably the most common.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dashi kombu dried kelp
- 1 quart water
- ½ cup bonito flakes
Instructions
- Wipe off any dirt from kombu with a paper towel, being careful not to rub off the white powdery deposits on the seaweed. Soak kombu in water in a saucepan for 30 minutes to soften.
- Transfer kombu to a cutting board; cut several slits, lengthwise, into the leaf. Return kombu to water in the saucepan; bring to a boil. As soon as water begins to boil, remove kombu to prevent stock from becoming bitter.
- Stir bonito flakes into kombu-flavored water; bring back to a boil, then remove pan from heat. Allow dashi to cool. When bonito flakes settle on bottom, strain dashi through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter.