Shiitake No Nimono (Shiitake Simmered in Soya Sauce)

By pixen

Ingredients

• 6-8 Large Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
• 375 ml Dashi II or Konbu Dashi II (or Instant Dashi Stock)
• 2 Tbl Mirin
• 2 Tbl Sake
• 2 Tbl Japanese Soya Sauce
• 1 Tbl Dark Brown Sugar

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from pixieate.blogspot.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Soak shiitake mushrooms in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain well. Discard the stems.
2. Combine the dashi, mirin, sake, soya sauce and sugar in a small pan over high heat. Stir the mixture until sugar has dissolved. Bring to boil.
3. Add the shiitake. Bring it to boil again and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 1 hour or until the liquid almost evaporated.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature as side dish, part of multicourse, snack or over rice. You can use it in cawan mushi or with noodles - slice thinly or quartered.

Note: I usually reserved the liquid after soaking shiitake. You can use it for this dish to get that rich concentrated flavour which I did or add into your favourite mushroom soup recipes. Just remember to filter/sieve the liquid.

: Making of Dashi Stocks :

For Dashi II

10 cm (4 in) square of konbu
20 g (1 cup) katsuoboshi (bonito flakes)

1. Wipe konbu with a damp cloth but don't rub off the white powdery substance that will become obvious as it dries. Cut the konbu into strips.
2. Place konbu & 1.5 L (6 cups) cold water into a saucepan and slowly bring it to boil. Quickly add 60 ml (1/4 cup) cold water to stop the boiling process. Add the bonito flakes. Allow it to boil again and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Allow the bonito flakes to sink to the bottom of pan. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve. This stock is ready for stews and thick soups.

Makes 1 L (about 4 cups)


For Konbu Dashi

15 cm (6 in) square piece of konbu

1. For Konbu Dashi I, cut konbu into strips and place them in a saucepan with 1.5 L cold water. Bring to boil, then remove the konbu.
2. For Konbu Dashi II, leave the konbu in the pan, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes longer.

Makes about 1.5 L (5 cups)