Miso soup is just so good. And simple, too. Topped with silky tofu and green onions that add a little kick, it's perfect. Below is some information on bonito and miso. Yum!
Bonito Flakes- Katsuobushi
I love katsuobushi, or as I call them bonito flakes. Katsuobushi is shavings of dried smoked bonito fish. Although I don't like fish, I actually love bonito flakes, since they don't have too much of a fishy taste. Put them on top of rice, vegetables, or tofu and I will be happy. :)
Some "fun" facts about katsuobushi are..
Some "fun" facts about katsuobushi are..
- The shavings look similar to wood shavings
- They are used with kombu and water to make dashi
- Dried whole pieces of bonito are shaved on a wooden plane
Miso
Miso paste is made by fermenting soybeans with salt and fungus (to be particular, aspergillus or yzae) and sometimes with rice or barley.
Some types of miso are...
Some types of miso are...
- Shiro miso- "white miso", this is the type that I have in my fridge.
- Aka miso- "red miso", has a more assertive and pungent flavor
- Awase miso- "mixed miso", a combination of the two types above
Itadakimasu!