Sardine & Okra Soba

Ingredients: 1 tsp dashi powder 2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce 2 tbsp mirin 1 tbsp sake 1 tsp salt 100g dried soba 2 fillets tinned sardine, drained 1 individual pack nattoo (fermented soy beans, available in Asian supermarkets), mixed thoroughly 5 stalks okra a handful of shiitake mushrooms, cut in half bonito flakes and sliced red chilli to garnish Method: 1. Add 500ml of water to a saucepan, along with the dashi, soy sauce, mirin and sake. Heat gently and bring to a low simmer. 2. Add the shiitake mushrooms and season the broth to taste with salt. Leave to simmer while you prepare the other toppings. 3. Put the whole okra in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 5 minutes until they're tender and bright green but still retain their bite. Drain. Slice two okra in half lengthways, then chop up the remaining stalks into 'stars'. 4. Bring a second saucepan of water to the boil, add the soba and cook to packet instructions. Drain and rinse the noodles under water to get rid of any starch. 5. Add the rinsed noodles to the simmering stock to warm through, then transfer the noodles immediately to your serving bowl. Top with the sardines, nattoo, okra and shiitake, then add hot stock to your liking. Garnish with bonito flakes and chlli and enjoy.