Takashis Dashi Recipes

NISHIME (DASHI-BRAISED VEGETABLES WITH CHICKEN)

Steps:

• In a large pot, soak kombu in 4 cups water until the water is flavorful, at least 2 hours (or overnight).
• On a plate, salt the chicken generously on both sides; set aside in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the vegetables, and keep each in its own separate container: Peel daikon and cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. (If the daikon is very large, halve it lengthwise, then cut it into 1/2-inch-thick slices.) Scrub satoimo, then peel using a paring knife. (Satoimo that are smaller than a golf ball can be left whole; larger ones should be halved or quartered.)
• Add the vinegar and 2 cups water to a bowl. Peel lotus root and slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, adding them to the acidulated water. Peel carrot, then cut into rangiri: With your knife held across the carrot at a diagonal, cut it into 1-inch chunks, rolling the carrot a quarter turn between each cut so you end up with irregular, multifaceted pieces.
• Cut the kabocha into four wedges, then cut each wedge crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick pieces.
• Remove shiitake stems; carve out thin slivers from the top of the caps to make an asterisk shape (about the diameter of a quarter).
• Cut bamboo shoot lengthwise into 1 1/2-inch-wide spears, then cut each spear crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces.
• Peel purple potato, then cut into rangiri. (If it's much fatter than a carrot, slice it into spears first.)
• Remove the kombu from the dashi, saving the kombu for another use. Add usukuchi shoyu, mirin, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt to the kombu dashi and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to keep the liquid at a simmer. Add chicken and simmer until barely cooked through, about 15 minutes. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces, and set aside. Skim the dashi.
• Simmer each vegetable consecutively in the same dashi, cooking until each is tender but retains its shape, then transfer each vegetable back to its container. Cook the daikon about 20 minutes; satoimo 15 to 20 minutes; lotus root (discarding the acidulated water) 8 to 10 minutes; carrot 5 to 7 minutes; kabocha 12 to 15 minutes; shiitake and bamboo shoots (together), loosely covered if the dashi is low, 4 to 6 minutes; then finally the purple potato 8 to 10 minutes.
• The remaining dashi will be concentrated, dark and glossy. Add the chicken, cover and remove from heat. Let stand for at least 20 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a sheet pan, skin-side up, and brown under the broiler, 3 to 4 minutes. Arrange the vegetables and chicken on a platter, in odd-numbered groupings (for better luck and aesthetics). Spoon a little dashi over and serve at room temperature.

KONBU DASHI

Steps:

• Wipe the kombu with a damp cloth to clean it. Cut into 1-inch pieces and place into a saucepan along with the water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand a few minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer before using.

TAKASHI'S DASHI

Steps:

• Place kombu and 9 cups water in a large pot; let soak at room temperature for at least 20 minutes and up to overnight.
• Place pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Remove kombu and discard. Reduce heat to a simmer and gently stir in katsuobushi. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a 2-quart container.

DASHI

Steps:

• Put the kombu in a 4-quart saucepan, cover with the water and soak for 30 minutes.
• Set the saucepan over medium heat until the water reaches 150 to 160 degrees F and small bubbles appear around the sides of the pan, 9 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the kombu from the pan. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the bonito flakes. Simmer gently, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.
• Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer lined with muslin or several layers of cheesecloth. Reserve the bonito flakes for another use.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 1 week or freeze for up to a month.

KEWA DATSHI (BHUTANESE DISH)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pot over medium heat; cook and stir chile peppers and garlic until golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir potatoes into onion mixture until potatoes are coated in oil.
• Pour water over potato mixture and season with chile pepper powder and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, adding more water if needed but keeping the gravy thick, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and sprinkle fresh cheese over the gravy; slowly stir until cheese melts and spreads evenly, about 5 minutes. Garnish dish with red pepper flakes.