L I VE WEL L
RECIPE
Kombu makes a flavoursome, nourishing and immune-boosting stock base for use in soups and casseroles. Serves 12 Ingredients: • 3 litres of water • 1 kombu strip (or two kombu leaves)* • 1 small onion, including skin for colour, roughly sliced • 1 small carrot, roughly sliced • 1 handful of dried shiitake or porcini mushrooms • ½ celery stick • 1 clove garlic • slice of fresh ginger (optional) • fresh thyme, parsley and coriander stalks Directions: 1. Place all the ingredients except kombu in a large pot, cover, slowly bring to a simmer and simmer gently for 15 minutes. 2. Turn off heat and add the kombu. (Note: Never boil water you soak kombu in, as this will have a negative impact on flavour and nutrient content.). Steep kombu for 10 minutes or more, according to taste. If using kombu leaves, these can be chopped along with the mushrooms, when they are all softened, Vegan stock
Cook with Kombu K ombu seaweed provides flavour, nutrients and texture – it’s a must-have for sneaking nutrients into food for fussy eaters.
Multiple health benefits Brown seaweed like kombu is nature’s best source of iodine, which is vital for thyroid function, along with iron, calcium, trace minerals and vitamins A and C. Glutamine is required for making protein for muscle tissue, protecting intestinal health, and supporting the immune system and liver detoxification.
The name kombu comes from konbu, the Japanese word for kelp seaweed. It is the key ingredient in dashi stock, which forms the basis of many Japanese dishes. There are around 30 different species of kelp around the world. Pacific Harvest Kelp is sustainably wild-harvested from the flavourful species Ecklonia radiata , which grows in the pristine waters of New Zealand. Here are three reasons to start cooking with kombu: Delicious flavour The fine white powder you will see on dried kombu strips and leaves is an amino acid called glutamine, which naturally rises to the seaweed’s surface as it dries. Glutamine is the source of the wonderful savoury umami flavour that kombu provides, and eliminates the need for artificial flavourings.
Digestive system hero Kombu also contains glutamic acid, an enzyme which acts as a natural tenderiser and breaks down
complex sugars, such as those found in legumes. Add a kombu strip or leaf when you soak beans to ease digestion and avoid flatulence.
and returned to the stock. *Kombu strips are tougher than the leaves, and impart a stronger flavour.
Glutamine powder on kombu
19
ISSUE 62 • 2021
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog