Recipe
June 22, 2017
All-Purpose Noodle Sauce
Use this All-Purpose Noodle Sauce, from the cookbook Cook Japanese At Home, with the recipe Tuna & Arugula On Soba.
There are many ready-made noodle sauces available. Although they’re a useful standby and many Japanese home cooks have them, homemade is much better, and more economical. This keeps for up to 4 weeks refrigerated, and can be used for simmered dishes and broths, too.
Directions
Yield: Makes 6 Cups
- Put the kelp, shiitake, and 4½ cups of water in a large glass bowl, and let it stand in a fridge overnight.
- Put the mirin and sake in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil for 2 minutes to burn off the alcohol. Add the kelp, mushrooms, and soaking water to the pan, and bring to a boil, then add the salt and bonito flakes.
- Bring it back to a boil again, then reduce the heat to simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, skimming off any scum that floats to the top, then add the soy sauce.
- Remove from the heat, and strain through a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the sauce into a sterilized glass jar with a lid. Store refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.
How To Use: This recipe gives a concentrated sauce and needs to be diluted according to different uses. For noodle pouring sauce, mix 3 parts sauce with 2 parts water. This dilution proportion is a rough guide and you may adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.