SANUKI SEA STOCK

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Sanuki Sea Stock image

_(Iriko Dashi) Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are adapted from Elizabeth Andoh's book_ Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen. _Andoh also shared some helpful tips exclusively with Epicurious, which we've added at the bottom of the page. This recipe originally accompanied Thick White Noodles in Soup, Topped with Eggs and Scallions and Cold Noodle Salad with Ponzu Sauce._ In the Sanuki region of Shikoku Island, noodle soup stock is typically made from dried sardines called iriko, in combination with dried kelp (kombu), and dried black mushrooms (hoshi shiitake). Some Sanuki stocks are enriched with bonito flakes (katsuobushi) and if you prefer a smoky flavor to your broth, I suggest you add these flakes, too. All the dried foodstuffs used to make stocks are rich in naturally occurring glutamates and provide intense flavor to the soup.

Provided by Elizabeth Andoh

Categories     Soup/Stew     Fish

Yield Makes about 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 5

7 large, or 15 small, dried sardines (iriko), about 1/2 ounce trimmed (see Tips, below)
10 to 12 square inches kelp (kombu; see Tips, below)
1 whole, or stems from 2 or 3, dried (hoshi) shiitake mushroom (see Tips, below)
4 1/2 to 5 cups cold water, filtered or bottled for best results
1-, 3-, or 5-gram packet bonito flakes (katsuobushi), optional (see Tips, below)

Steps:

  • Place the dried sardines, kelp, and dried mushrooms in a deep pot and cover with the cold water. Place the pot over medium-high heat and wait until small bubbles appear around the rim before adjusting the heat to maintain a steady but not very vigorous simmer. Cook the stock for about 10 minutes, or until the broth becomes a pale gold. If large clouds of froth appear, skim them away. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the contents to sink to the bottom naturally, about 2 minutes.
  • If you want a smoky flavor, add the bonito flakes (the more flakes you use, the smokier the flavor). Wait 2 or 3 minutes for the flakes to sink, and then strain the broth through a fine-woven muslin cloth, or a coffee-filter-lined colander.

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