MISO SOUP WITH TOFU AND SEAWEED

Steps:

• For the dashi stock: Combine the cold water and kombu in a medium pot. Place the pot over medium heat; as the water comes to a simmer, you'll see tiny bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pot. Do not let the water come to a boil; it should remain at a low simmer. Remove the kombu.
• Once the water starts to simmer gently, sprinkle in the bonito flakes. Let the flakes steep without stirring for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and strain the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into another medium pot. You should have about 4 cups of dashi stock.
• For the miso soup: To reconstitute the wakame seaweed, place 1 cup hot water in a medium bowl and sprinkle in the wakame; let it soak for about 2 minutes. Rinse the wakame under cold water, squeeze out the water with your hands and then chop the wakame.
• Heat the dashi stock over medium-low heat until just under a simmer. Add the wakame and allow to cook and intermingle for about 5 minutes.
• Submerge a small sieve into the saucepan until the rim is just above the stock. Add 1/4 cup of the miso to the sieve and use a wooden spoon to work the miso through the sieve into the soup; this will prevent lumps from forming. Stir well and taste the soup -- if it's not salty enough, add additional miso.
• Add the tofu and scallions and let them cook in the broth just until warmed through, about 1 minute.