Family Meal Recipe - 1. Miso soup with Clams

Ingredients (for 6):

• Water - 1.3 litre
• Daishi powder - 2 tsp
• Red miso paste - 100 g
• Silken tofu - 450 g
• Small round clams - 400 g

Procedures:

1. Pick over the clams, discarding any that are damaged. Put the clams into a large bowl, cover with salted cold water and leave for 1 hour. This will help the clams to purge themselves of any sand.

2. Pour the water into a large pan and add the dashi powder and red miso paste.

3. Process with a hand-held blender until well mixed.

4. Cut the tofu into 2-cm cubes.

5. Place tofu into serving bowls, allowing 5 per person.

6. Rinse the clams under cold water.

7. Bring the soup to the boil, then add the clams.

8. Cook for 3 minutes or until the clams open. Remove from the heat.

9. Lift the clams out of the soup with a slotted spoon.

10. Place the clams on top of the tofu in the serving bowls, discarding any that have not opened.

11. Add the remaining tofu to the soup and blend until creamy and smooth.

12. Ladle the soup over the clams and tofu and serve.