Dashi
Dashi is a Japanese soup stock made from kombu (kelp) and bonito (flaked fish). It has been used in Japanese cuisine for centuries and is the base for many popular dishes, such as miso soup and udon noodles.
Dashi was first mentioned in a 12th-century cookbook, but it is likely that the dish was around long before that. In the early days, dashi was made by boiling kombu in water, then adding bonito flakes to the broth. This method is still used today, although some modern recipes call for instant dashi powder or granules, which are made from a blend of kombu, bonito, and other ingredients.
The key to a good dashi is in the quality of the ingredients. The best kombu is from Hokkaido, where it is harvested from the cold, clean waters of the Sea of Japan. Bonito flakes should be made from fresh fish, not the dried and smoked variety.
Advice
When making dashi, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. In particular, the kombu and bonito flakes should be fresh and of good quality. Additionally, it is important to use cold water when making dashi, as hot water can cause the kombu to become slimy and the bonito flakes to break down too quickly. When heating the dashi, be sure to bring it to a gentle simmer and not a rolling boil, as this will help preserve the delicate flavor of the broth. Finally, it is important to strain the dashi after it has been heated, as this will ensure that the finished product is smooth and clear.
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Recipes
Make Kombu Shiitake Dashi (Stock)
- kombu seaweed
- shiitake mushroom
- mirin
- ginger
- shoyu
- water
Dashi
- bonito flake
- 6x5 kombu
Kombu Dashi
- kombu
- water
Ichiban Dashi (Kelp Stock)
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Basic Japanese Dashi Recipe
- kombu
- bonito flake
- water