Shiitake Dashi - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 1/2 cups water
4 slices kombu seaweed, 4 inches long
5 dried shiitake mushrooms
1 tablespoon light soy sauce (optional)
1 pinch sea salt (optional)
1 green onion, sliced (optional)

Preparation

Place kombu in pot of water and slowly bring to a simmer over medium high heat, but do not boil; about 10 minutes on the stove.
Remove the kombu just before the pot boils and add the dried mushrooms.
Boil for 1 minute, then turn off the heat and let the pot sit, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Remove the mushrooms and store the dashi for use in another recipe, or prepare it as a simple soup by adding the soy sauce, salt to taste and sliced green onion.