can i use kelp for miso soup

Bonito: Basically Moldy Fish Scrapings

But dont worry, were only talking about fish here, not birds or pigs. (I personally rank fish higher than chickens, but thats just my opinion.) Miso soup doesnt taste like fish soup, you are thinking. True. Heres why:

Fishermen catch skipjack tuna (also called bonito). Then, specially skilled chefs (probably on their way into or out of an insane asylum) simmer the fish, smoke it for ten or twenty days, then infect the fish with mold and lock them in boxes for two weeks, then scrape off the old mold and add new mold and lock them in boxes for another two weeks. They repeat this procedure several times. During this process digestive enzymes break down the muscle tissues of the fish into delicious amino acids, especially inosine monophosphate, also a source of umami flavor. After several months the fish have dried out to the consistency of 1,000-year-old trees and are then shaved with a carpenters plane into flakes that are thinner than paper, a process you can witness at 7 a.m. outside the Tokyo fish market. These bonito flakes are called katsuo-bushi in Japanese, which translates approximately to “dried moldy fish confetti made by insane people.”

I pack two cups worth of bonito flakes into a measuring cup and have it standing by, ready for the water with the kelp to nearly come to a boil.

Miso Soup Starts With Seaweed

Dried kelp, or konbu.

True miso soup, it turns out, starts not with miso at all, but with seaweed. As Japanese food aficionados know, the basic broth that serves as the foundation for most Japanese cooking, including miso soup, is called dashi. To make dashi, you drop sheets of crackly dried kelp into cold water. For a large batch, I use about eight cups of water and 5 to 7 broken-up sheets of dried kelp, called konbu in Japanese. Turn the heat on medium and hang around the kitchen, keeping an eye on things. You want to bring the water to the cusp of boiling, without letting it actually boil. This takes a while.

Conventional wisdom says you never want the water to boil when youre making miso soup. Most Japanese cooks believe the kelp releases bitter compounds if the water boils, although other chefs don’t think its a problem. Later, after you add the miso, boiling water will almost certainly kill the active enzymes in live miso that add taste and benefits to your health. This, I believe, will anger the god of miso.

【Japanese Traditional Soup】How to make miso soup with Tofu and seaweed

FAQ

Does kelp go in miso?

What is the best seaweed for miso soup?

Can you eat kelp in soup?

Can you make miso soup with dried kelp?

Dried kelp, or konbu. True miso soup, it turns out, starts not with miso at all, but with seaweed. As Japanese food aficionados know, the basic broth that serves as the foundation for most Japanese cooking, including miso soup, is called dashi. To make dashi, you drop sheets of crackly dried kelp into cold water.

Is it good to have miso soup?

Miso is a fermented product that contains probiotics. Thus, consuming miso soup might improve your gut/ digestive health. Being low in calories, the soup might also contribute to weight loss and weight management. It is packed with antioxidants like copper, zinc, manganese, and vitamins like vitamin K, and B vitamins. This in turn might play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and chronic conditions like cancer. Note: A bowl of miso soup can give you around 830mg of sodium that is roughly 33-35% of RDI. You can go for low-sodium miso while preparing the soup, especially if you are on a low-sodium diet.

What can I add to miso soup?

Noodles: Soba, udon, or even ramen noodles can be added to miso soup for a more filling dish. Grains: Rice or barley could be included in miso soup, making it a more substantial meal. Eggs: Add a soft-boiled, hard-boiled, or poached egg to the soup. Tempeh or Seitan: For a vegetarian protein boost, consider adding tempeh or seitan.

Can you eat Miso Soup on a keto diet?

Here’s how you can customize it for keto, paleo, gluten-free, or Whole30 diets: The basic miso soup recipe is relatively low in carbs, but you could add more healthy fats, like a spoonful of coconut or sesame oil, for a more keto-friendly version. Increase the protein content by adding more tofu or meat like chicken or pork.