Tonkotsu Ramen Broth Recipes

CRISPY DUCK RAMEN IN TONKOTSU BROTH

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a saute pan over high heat and add the Duck Confit. Let the duck cook, undisturbed, until crispy on one side, then flip with a spatula and crisp on the reverse side, about 6 minutes total. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
• Heat the sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add the shiitakes and takana. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the Tonkotsu Broth and bring to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, bring some water to a rolling boil in a stockpot and add the ramen. Cook for 60 seconds, then drain and add directly to the simmering broth. Cook the broth and ramen for an additional minute, stirring. (I like to use chopsticks here -- they're a great tool, and why not keep it authentic!) Transfer the ramen and broth to a bowl and top with the crispy duck and soft-boiled egg. Garnish with the bok choy, green onions and sesame seeds. Slurp and enjoy!
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle the duck quarters with the salt and add them to a 4-inch-deep roasting pan. Add the garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme. Add the blended oil and duck fat to the pan so that the duck quarters are submerged in oil.
• Cover the pan and roast until the meat is falling off the bone, about 3 hours. Remove from the oven; let cool for 15 minutes before straining the duck. Pick the duck meat, discarding the skin, bones, garlic, peppercorns, thyme and bay leaves, and being careful not to leave any bones.
• Set aside until ready to use; refrigerate if using later.
• Fill a stockpot two-thirds full with water; add the pork trotters and chicken bones. Boil the bones until red blood ceases to come out of them, about 20 minutes. Strain the bones and clean the pot. Thoroughly rinse the bones, removing any residual blood.
• Add the rinsed bones to the stockpot and fill with water to cover. Bring to a boil, skimming off any residual foam that rises to the top. Add the scallion ends, garlic, mushroom stems, ginger and salt. Cover and simmer until the broth is flavorful, 3 to 4 hours, checking the water level occasionally and adding water as necessary to make sure the bones remain covered.
• About 30 minutes before the broth is finished cooking, add the ground pork fat and continue to simmer.
• Strain the broth into a large stockpot and skim off any excess fat. Set aside until ready to use.

INSTANT POT® TONKOTSU RAMEN BROTH

Steps:

• Place the pork bones into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook at a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Drain the pork bones into a colander in the sink and rinse well until water against the bones runs clear; this is the most important step of the process.
• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Warm the olive oil in the pot. Add leeks, onion, and garlic. Saute until onion is clear and has begun to brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Turn Saute mode off.
• Place the cleaned pork bones into the inner pot on top of the onion mixture. Add 4 cups of water. Place the lid onto the Instant Pot®, with the vent set to Sealing. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 45 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes, or turn vent to Venting.
• Remove lid and carefully remove the inner pot. Strain the stock in a cheesecloth-lined colander that is placed on top of a large saucepan. Set aside. Remove any remaining meat from bones and set aside.
• Season strained broth with salt and pepper. Add in dashi and remaining 1 cup water. Stir in soy sauce. Bring broth to a slow boil over medium-low heat; turn heat down to a simmer. Scoop out 1/3 cup of the broth into a bowl. Add the miso into the bowl and "soften" the miso with a spoon, dissolving it into the broth. Return this paste to the saucepan. Mix paste into the broth and combine well. Add spinach to the broth. Continue simmering for 10 minutes (do not bring to a boil).
• Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a pot. Add ramen noodles and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse and place a good handful into a serving bowl. Pour tonkotsu broth into the bowl using a ladle. Add the pulled meat from the bones atop the noodles; add the spinach.