Simmered Shiitake Mushrooms

Step 1

Fill an air tight container or a bowl with 1L/2.1pt water and soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in it. Cover and leave it overnight (6-7 hours+) in the fridge (note 1).

Step 2

Remove the stem of the rehydrated mushrooms, discard the stems and place the mushrooms in a saucepan. Do not discard the mushroom liquid as it is the shiitake dashi.

Step 3

Put the shiitake dashi through a sieve and get rid of black bits in the liquid.

Step 4

Measure 600ml/1.3pt (note of shiitake dashi and add to the saucepan. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and heat over medium heat.

Step 5

When it starts boiling, scum (whitish bubbly substances) surfaces quite a lot. Remove the scum using a ladle as much as possible (note 3).

Step 6

Place a drop lid on (note and cook for 15 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the drop lid and cook further 5-10 minutes until only a small amount of liquid remains (note 5).