Ginza Foodie

Japanese Konbu and Katsuo Dashi

ginzafoodie — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:34:41 +0000

Dashi is Japanese stock, which becomes the base of many Japanese dishes, such as soup, dipping sauce, and nimono (simmered dishes). Since dashi is often used in Japanese cooking, it’s useful to know how to make it. There are different kinds of dashi. It can be made from kombu (dried kelp), katsuobushi (dried bonito) flakes, niboshi (dried small sardines), hoshi-shiitake(dried shiitake mushrooms), and more. Kombu dashi and dried shiitake mushroom dashi are known as good vegetarian stocks. It might take extra effort to make dashi, but good dashi makes your Japanese dishes taste much better. Let’s learn to make different kinds of dashi.

Japanese Konbu and Katsuo Dashi

Recipe of Konbu and Katsuo Dashi. *makes 4 cups

Step 1.

Wipe the konbu with clean cloth. Put water in a deep pot and soak konbu in the water for 10 minutes.

Step 2.

Put the pot on low heat and remove the konbu just before the water boils. When it boils, add Katsuobushi flakes.

Step 3.

Remove any foam that rises to the surface, and turn off the heat. Let it set until Katsuobushi flakes sink.

Step 4.

Strain the stock through a paper towel. This stock is called ichiban-dashi (first stock). Ichiban-dashi is often used for Miso soup, cooking clear soups, or Japanese noodles like “Soba” “Udon” and others.

Please also check my recipe on Foodista.com.

How to make “Nigiri Sushi”

ginzafoodie — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:49:25 +0000

This video could be a reference on the basic style of how to make “Nigiri Sushi.” There are several styles of slicing the fish and shaping Nigiri Sushi and Roll Sushi. The excellent Sushi chefs and cooks have very delicate and keen sense on choosing fish, slicing fish, keeping their hands clean. Some legendary Sushi chefs have their original style that has been attracting Japanese foodies. It is commonly said that 10 year training is necessary to be an independent Sushi cook. However, some of recent talented Sushi cooks finished substantial training at famous Sushi restaurant in a short period, and open their own Sushi restaurants. Sushi is always one of the most favorite cuisine for Japanese, and many Sushi restaurant guide books and magazines are published all the time. There are many famous and expensive Sushi restaurants featured on Michelin or Zagat. However, there exist many excellent Sushi restaurants serving good Sushi in their own styles and manners sometimes for more reasonable prices.

Hello world!

ginzafoodie — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:12:39 +0000

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