Easy Japanese Kettle Soup

easy japanese kettle soup
From ‘5 Ingredients 10 Minutes’ Print Book page 39
serves 1

If you haven’t ever used dashi, an instant Japanese fish stock, I highly recommend giving it a go. You may need to go to an Asian grocery store to find it but it will keep in the pantry for years.

If that seems like too much trouble, just use a good quality chicken or vegetable stock or bullion powder.

large handful frozen peas
100g (3.5oz) tofu
1 heaped teaspoon dashi powder or stock
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 sheet nori, broken, optional

1. Pop your kettle on to boil.

2. Place peas in a heat proof container and cover with boiling water. Stand.

3. Slice tofu finely and tear nori, if using, into small squares.

4. Drain peas and add tofu, dashi, and soy to the pot. Cover with fresh boiling water.

5. Stand for a minute before serving with the nori sheets, if using on top.

leftover potential?

Will keep in the fridge for a week or so. Warm up in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stove top. The nori will go really soggy so best to add at the last minute.

variations for fun

soy-free / carnivore – replace the tofu with a handful or shredded cooked chicken. and replace the soy with bragg’s liquid aminos or just use salt to season.

different veg – replace the peas with a large handful of baby spinach or finely sliced broccoli.

fish-free / no dashi? – replace the dashi with vegetable stock (bullion) powder or use a tablespoon of white miso paste instead.

more substantial – increase the amount of tofu OR add in a handful of fresh udon noodles instead.

problem solving guide

too watery – next time use a smaller container. For now, you could top up the flavourings with a little more soy and dashi powder.

can’t find nori? – just skip it. Or replace with a tablespoon of chopped chives or finely sliced green onion (scallion).

too bland – season with a little more soy sauce or salt.

not filling enough – up the tofu and/or the peas. Or see the suggestion for ‘more substantial’.

serving suggestions

Great as a super quick lunch or dinner on its own.
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