Recipe: Dipping sauce

Dipping sauce

Servings: 4

Note: Bonito flakes, mirin and light soy sauce are available at Japanese groceries and in the ethnic sections of many grocery stores. Add one-half cup of grated daikon radish, if desired, to the sauce before serving.

1 cup bonito flakes

1 cup water

1/4 cup mirin

1/4 cup light soy sauce (usukuchi shoyu)

In a medium saucepan, combine the bonito flakes, water, mirin and light soy sauce and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and strain the broth through a cheesecloth or paper towel-lined sieve into a bowl, discarding the bonito flakes. This makes about 1 cup sauce. The sauce can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated; before serving the tempura, reheat the dipping sauce and divide it among 4 bowls.

Each teaspoon: 4 calories; 0 protein; 0 carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 0 fat; 0 cholesterol; 0 sugar; 3 mg. sodium.