Soy Concentrate

Soy sauce is elevated by simmering with dried shitake mushrooms and Applewood-smoked dulse into a reduction that is sublime! This versatile condiment can be used in so many ways: dipping sauce, glazing vegetables, making a savory broth, or added to other ingredients to make interesting dips, sauces and glazes. The bonus is the soy soaked mushrooms that are so delicious! I use them as a tiny appetizer with robust red wine, use them as fillings for onigiri or dumplings, scattered on a bowl of rice, or simmered in dashi for the beginning of a flavorful broth.

• 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 6 tsp sugar, brown sugar is fine as well
• 4-5 dried shitake mushrooms
• 2-3 pieces of Applewood-smoked dulse
• 2 tbs sake
• 1 tbs mirin

1. Select dried shitake mushrooms that are thick and crinkly instead of the thin dried type. They hold up better and have a richer flavor. The Applewood-smoked dulse is from Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, a company that offers superb products from the sea. It is also available on Amazon, but I am never really sure how food and supplement products are stored prior shipment, but it is up to you. I include this product because it adds a smoky, briny flavor of the sea and bonito flakes, making this a vegan version. You may omit the dulse, the shitakes add a wonderful umami flavor, it will just lack those additional flavors.
2. Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil. The liquid will foam up, so be ready to turn in down to a simmer.
3. Simmer until it is reduced by 1/4 – 1/3. Watch carefully that it doesn’t burn, which will ruin the sauce. It will take 10-15 minutes and the mushrooms should be nice and soft.
4. Remove the shitakes from the pot and reserve. Strain the dulse and discard. Pour the sauce into a clean glass container, it will make about 3/4 cup. It will keep in the refrigerator for several months, if it lasts that long!
5. Slice the shitakes into small pieces, the size of a small olive, and discard the tough stems. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, after you have tried a couple first!