Den Miso

Combine miso and sugar in the top of a double boiler. Add sake and mirin, and whisk to combine using a heavy whisk. Cook over boiling water, stirring frequently until the sugar is dissolved and the color begins to darken, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool.

Comments: Miso is a fermented soybean paste that comes in a wide variety of flavors, colors, textures, and aromas. It is used in dressings, for pickling, as a spread for grilled foods, and as a base for soup. All miso falls under three basic categories: komemiso, miso made with rice and soybeans; mugimiso, miso made from barley or rye and soybeans; and mamemiso, miso made from soybeans alone. Miso is produced by crushing boiled soybeans and injecting them with a yeastlike mold cultivated with a barley, soybean, or rice base. The mixture is then allowed to mature from six months