Name: Silken tofu in a dashi broth with mushrooms and broccolini
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 35 gm bonito flakes (see note); 500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock; 15 gm finely grated ginger, juice squeezed out and reserved, solids discarded; 1 tbsp light soy sauce, or to taste; 1 tbsp sake, or to taste; 1 small bunch broccolini, cut into 4; 150 gm mixed Asian mushrooms, such as shiitake, enoki, shimeji and oyster, torn or sliced if large; 300 silken egg tofu (see note) or silken tofu, thickly sliced, at room temperature; few drops of sesame oil; thinly sliced spring onion (optional), to serve

Silken tofu in a dashi broth with mushrooms and broccolini

Build a rich and nourishing broth with minimum fuss thanks to the power of dashi.

Serves 4

Prep

20M

Cook

10M

Total

30M

Dashi is one of the staple preparations in Japanese cooking and makes a wonderful base for soups. Here, its savouriness boosts a chicken stock to build a richer flavour with minimum fuss.

Ingredients

35 gm bonito flakes (see note)

500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock

15 gm finely grated ginger, juice squeezed out and reserved, solids discarded

1 tbsp light soy sauce, or to taste

1 tbsp sake, or to taste

1 small bunch broccolini, cut into 4

150 gm mixed Asian mushrooms, such as shiitake, enoki, shimeji and oyster, torn or sliced if large

300 silken egg tofu (see note) or silken tofu, thickly sliced, at room temperature

few drops of sesame oil

thinly sliced spring onion (optional), to serve

Method

1.Bring bonito flakes and 500ml water to a simmer in a saucepan, then remove from heat, and stand to infuse for 5-6 minutes. Strain, pressing all liquid out of bonito flakes, then return liquid to pan. Add chicken stock, bring to a simmer, add ginger juice, soy sauce and sake and season to taste. Add broccolini and simmer for 2 minutes, then add mushrooms and simmer until broccolini and mushrooms are tender (1 minute).

2.Divide tofu among serving bowls, add a few drops of sesame oil, ladle in soup and vegetables, scatter with spring onion and serve.

Bonito flakes are available from Asian grocers. Substitute 1½ tsp dashi powder, available from select supermarkets. Silken egg tofu is available from select supermarkets and Asian grocers.
Drink Suggestion: A small ochoko (sake cup) of earthy yamahai sake.
Drink suggestion by Max Allen
Notes