Kombu Dashi

The Washington Post, June 6, 2007

• • Cuisine: Asian
• • Course: Soup

Summary:

Dashi is a basic stock used widely in Japanese cooking. This version is made with only kombu (dried kelp).

We found kombu at some Whole Foods Markets and at Daruma in Bethesda (6931 Arlington Rd., 301-654-8832).

Makes enough for 4 servings

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups cold water
• • 1 4-inch-square piece dried kombu (Japanese kelp)

Directions:

The preferred way to make this stock is to let the water and kombu soak overnight, covered, in the refrigerator. There is no need to apply heat.

Alternatively, put the cold water in a saucepan and add the kombu. Allow 15 minutes for the kombu to infuse the water and then turn the heat on to medium-high. As bubbles start to appear, discard the kombu (or it will become bitter) and remove the pan from the heat.

Recipe Source:

From food writer Yukari Pratt.

6 calories, n/a fat, n/a saturated fat, n/a cholesterol, 33mg sodium, 1g carbohydrates, n/a dietary fiber, n/a sugar, n/a protein.