Shitake Dashi* with Rice Noodles

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cooking Time:15 minutes

Yields:4 servings

• 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 6-inch piece kombu
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 carrot, thinly sliced
• 1/2 daikon, thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound thin rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon tamari
• 2 scallions, sliced

Directions:

1. Soak shitakes and kombu in a large bowl and soak for 30 minutes.
2. Remove shiitakes, discard stems, slice caps and add to a pot with 8 cups of water.
3. Bring to a boil and add kombu.
4. Add carrots and daikon and boil for 5 minutes.
5. Add rice noodles, vinegar and tamari and turn heat to low, cooking another 3 minutes until the noodles are soft.
6. Remove the kombu.
7. Serve in soup bowls, garnished with sliced scallions.

Notes:*a simple Japanese stock