Turn on your summer appetite! A farmer's 'instant dashi' with cucumber and myoga
Hello, I am Nakao, a crowdfunding planner.
When the sweltering heat continues, your appetite tends to wane... Are you finding it a chore to stand in the kitchen, and ending up just eating somen noodles all the time?
Truth be told, I have one foot in a lifestyle where ice cream is my main meal due to this summer heat. When I mentioned this to Representative Itagaki of 'Dewa Yahei' the other day, he scolded me, saying, 'You won't survive the summer like that! I'll teach you our ultimate 5-minute summer meal!'
A farmer's lesson: 'Summer vegetables make you energetic just by eating them'
Representative Itagaki said this while pointing at the field.
'Summer vegetables are packed with the blessings of the sun, so you get energetic just by eating them. Chop them up without using any heat, and put them on hot rice. This is the greatest luxury.'
Saying that, he taught me a farmer-style instant recipe for 'dashi,' a home-cooked summer flavor from Yamagata.
Turn on your appetite! A farmer's 'instant dashi' ready in 5 minutes
[Ingredients]
Cucumber: 1
Eggplant: 1
Myoga (Japanese ginger), Shiso leaves: As much as you like
Natto kombu (if unavailable, tororo kombu or shio kombu are also fine): 1 tablespoon
Mentsuyu (3x concentrated): 2-3 tablespoons
[Instructions]
Chop the cucumber, eggplant, myoga, and shiso leaves as finely as possible, into about 5mm cubes. (If using eggplant, soak it in water immediately after cutting to remove the bitterness.)
In a bowl, combine the well-drained vegetables, natto kombu, and mentsuyu.
After that, just mix it well until it gets sticky, and it's done!
The perfect match for piping hot rice
Representative Itagaki told me, 'Pile it on freshly cooked rice as much as you can and shovel it in,' and when I tried it... this is a revelation.
The crunchy texture of the vegetables, the refreshing aroma of the myoga and shiso leaves, and the thick umami of the kombu. It all blends with the sweetness of the rice, making it incredibly easy to keep eating. It's as if my lack of appetite was a lie.
A summer savior with endlessアレンジ possibilities
This 'dashi' isn't just for rice; you can also:
Pour it over chilled tofu
Use it as a condiment for somen noodles
Top it on soba noodles, and more—the possibilities are endless. Once you make it, it's sure to become a savior for your summer dining table.
Farmer's wisdom to enjoy the blessings of the sun in their entirety. Please try adding this to your home's staple recipes this summer. Don't forget the best white rice for the best 'dashi'.
✨ About the author of this article
Crowdfunding Planner Nakao
Crowdfunding consulting track record: Over 100 projects, total of over 1 billion yen
I have supported a diverse range of projects, from new business ventures by entrepreneurs to music activities by artists and regional initiatives.
30 years of band experience (drums/vocals).
I work under the motto, 'Don't let the dreams of those who take on challenges fail.'
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