Takenoko no kinomeae / bamboo shoot in sansho leaf miso dressing

The taste of late spring. This somewhat sweet green dressing is mellow and aromatic.

<Ingredients>

120-150 g takenoko no mizuni boiled bamboo shoot (130g in photo)
200 cc dashi
1 tsp sake
1 tsp usukuchi soy sauce

For kinomeae dressing
15 sansho leaves
3-4 tender spinach leaves
2 tbsp Saikyo miso
2 tsp sake
1 tsp sugar
Pinch salt (not in photo; optional)


<Directions>
1.

Dice bamboo shoots into 2 cm cubes.

Pluck sansho leaves from twigs, and place in suribachi mortar.

2.

In a pot, put dashi, usukuchi soy sauce and sake, and bring to boil.

Add bamboo shoot and simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat, and let cool in broth.

3.

Microwave sake for 5-10 seconds to get rid of alcohol. Let cool.

4.

Grind sansho leaves.

Add spinach, and continue grinding.

Add miso, sake + mirin, and sugar, and mix well.

Taste, and add salt as necessary.

5.

When bamboo shoot cools, drain, add the dressing, and gently mix.

<Notes>

• Kinome is the young leaves of sansho pepper tree.
• Spinach is added to give a vivid green color; this is optional.
• If Saikyo miso is not available, use white miso.
• This dressing is pretty rich, and can be lightened by replacing  half of miso with tofu.
• Other than bamboo shoot, boiled calamari is common for kinomeae.

(Last updated: June 7, 2015)