Miso Soup with Prawns and Wakame

Put the kombu and 6 cups of cold water in a large saucepan and leave to soak for 1 hour. Place the saucepan over a low heat for 30 minutes, keeping it just below a simmer. Don’t let it boil. Take off the heat and add the bonito flakes. 

Leave to infuse for 30 minutes.

Strain the stock through a piece of muslin or a new kitchen cloth into a clean saucepan and discard the solids. The stock can be refrigerated for 3-4 days at this point. 

Soup: Bring the stock to a simmer. Add the prawns and gently cook through. Place the miso paste in a small bowl and whisk in a little of the hot stock until smooth. Add to the soup along with the soy and mirin to taste.

To serve: Place the wakame in a large bowl of cold water for 5 minutes to rehydrate then drain well. Divide the prawns between bowls and ladle over the soup. Serve with the wakame, spring onions and the tofu.