Sweet Simmered Mushrooms - Shitake No Nimono

4 medium to large dried shitake mushrooms Simmering Sauce 1 C water 1 T sugar 2 T mirin 2 T soy sauce 2 T sake 1/2 tsp. dashi-no-moto powder (see note above)

Serves 2 Place mushrooms in a medium bowl and add warm water to cover. Soak dried mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes drain mushrooms and squeeze them dry. Cut off the discard stems. Prepare simmering sauce by combining all ingredients in a medium saucpan. Add mushrooms to simmering sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to medium-low and simmer mushrooms for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid had almost all evaporated and mushrooms are well coated with the sauce. Divide mushrooms and any remaining sauce between two small serving bowls.