How do you wash and prepare seaweed or kelp for cooking?

Question

Cooking with seaweed? Learn the proper way to wash and prepare fresh or dried kelp to remove excess salt and sand before it hits your dish.

Answer 1

To wash and prepare seaweed or kelp, rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any sand or debris. If it's dried kelp, soak it in cold water for about 20-30 minutes to rehydrate before cooking.

Detailed Explanation:

Preparing seaweed or kelp properly is crucial for both taste and texture. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Rinsing: Begin by rinsing the seaweed or kelp under cold, running water. This removes any sand, salt, or other debris that may be clinging to it. Be gentle to avoid tearing delicate varieties.

2. Soaking (for dried kelp): If you're using dried kelp (like kombu), it needs to be rehydrated. Place the dried kelp in a bowl of cold water. Let it soak for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until it becomes pliable. The soaking time may vary depending on the thickness of the kelp.

3. Cutting (if necessary): Depending on your recipe, you may need to cut the seaweed or kelp into smaller pieces. For kombu, you can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut it into strips or squares. For other types of seaweed, follow the recipe's instructions.

4. Cooking: Once rinsed and, if necessary, soaked and cut, the seaweed or kelp is ready to be cooked according to your recipe. Common cooking methods include simmering in soups, stir-frying, or adding to salads.

Pro Tip:

Don't discard the soaking water from dried kombu! It's full of umami flavor and can be used as a delicious and nutritious broth base for soups or stews. Just strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before using.