Discovering New Flavors: Kayanoya Dashi Stock Powder × Oil Marinade

An oil marinade enhances the rich, moist flavors of ingredients. What if we infused that oil with dashi? With that in mind, Aika Mori, the recipe developer at Kayanoya Japan developed "Umami Dashi Oil." You can use it to marinate a variety of ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, and fish, and even incorporate it into your cooking. We are excited to introduce this new application for Kayanoya Dashi Stock Powder – "Umami Dashi Oil Marinade."

 

Aroma and Umami Infusion - How to Prepare Dashi Oil

We selected olive oil because it is resistant to oxidation. Open a dashi pack and cook its contents in the oil until they become crispy. Umami dashi oil can be used not only for oil pickling but also as oil for stir-fries, dressings, or seasoning ingredients.

[Ingredients]
For 1 cup of olive oil, use 1 pack of Kayanoya Dashi Stock Powder.

[Instructions]
1. Pour the olive oil into a pan, break open the dashi packet, and add the contents.

 

2. Heat until it reaches 340-355°F. 

3. Once small bubbles start to appear, stir and cook until the dashi contents become crispy.

 
4. When a fragrant aroma arises and the oil turns a deeper color, it’s done.

 

 

Simple Umami Dashi Oil Marinade: Enhance Flavor with Just a Quick Soak

 

Place the ingredients in a sealable container or bag, cover them with dashi oil, and let them pickle. The flavors will meld after 2-3 days in the fridge, but the pickling time can be adjusted depending on the type, condition, and preparation method of the ingredients.

For your reference, it took 5 oz (150 ml) of oil to pickle 15 cherry tomatoes in a shallow tray. You can use even less oil if you use a sealed bag.

 

 

Quick and Easy Recipes with Umami Dashi Oil

Now, how can we enjoy ingredients pickled in umami dashi oil? Vegetables that can be eaten raw work well in salads or marinades. Since the umami dashi oil also serves as a seasoning, you can grill them as is or use them in sandwiches or pasta. You'll come up with endless ideas for quick recipes that don’t need extra seasoning!

Simply Marinate in Umami Dashi Oil

Thinly slice your favorite vegetables, like cucumbers and carrots, and marinate them in umami dashi oil for half a day. Perfect as a salad or light pickles. You can prepare them the night before and serve them for breakfast the next morning. Squeeze some lemon juice on top, and the umami dashi oil turns into a flavorful dressing.

Sautéed Ingredients with Dashi Oil

No need for additional oil—just sauté your umami dashi oil-marinated ingredients directly. Even chicken breast, which tends to dry out, becomes tender and juicy after marinating in dashi oil for two days. Zucchini also becomes sweeter and richer.

 

 

Experimenting with Different Combinations of Dashi and Oil

"What if we changed the dashi? What if we changed the oil?" This curiosity to try new combinations kept bubbling up, so we made umami dashi oil using Vegetable Dashi Stock Powder as well. You could try different combinations, such as avocado oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil!

Olive Oil x Vegetable Stock Powder

 

The flavor of olive oil and the umami and sweetness of Vegetable Dashi Stock Powder are a perfect match. Since the taste is well-infused, simply mixing it with vegetables creates a complete dish.

First, let's make the "Potato Peperoncino-style Salad". Thinly slice the potatoes, soak them in water, briefly boil them, drain thoroughly, and toss them with umami dashi oil to finish. (Use 1 tablespoon of umami dashi oil for 2–3 potatoes.) The crisp texture of the potatoes becomes mellow with the oil, and the aroma of the dashi makes it irresistible.

Next, cut the avocado into bite-sized pieces and mix with umami dashi oil and lemon for a "Seasoned Avocado Salad". (Use 1 tablespoon of umami dashi oil for 1 avocado. Squeeze some lemon just before eating.) Simply mixing the umami dashi oil enhances the richness of the avocado with a touch of brightness.

These can be enjoyed not only as salads but also as sandwich fillings. Since it's just a matter of tossing the ingredients, you can fully enjoy the natural texture of the vegetables, which is a nice bonus.

Rice Oil x Vegetable Stock Powder

 

This time, we've also tried with rice oil. You can use it with other oils you have on hand, such as vegetable or canola oil. Since it doesn't have a distinctive flavor like olive oil, it’s versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.

 Let's prepare a simple side dish with an oil marinade that gives the ingredients a moist and glossy finish. Thinly slicing the vegetables will allow the flavors to infuse quickly. If you marinate them during the day, they'll be ready to eat by dinner.

To make Cucumber Namul, start by slicing cucumbers and sprinkling them with salt. Let them sit for 5 minutes, then squeeze out the moisture and marinate them in umami dashi oil. Using a storage bag makes it easy to marinate with a small amount of oil. Add grated garlic, white sesame seeds, and chili threads for an extra kick. This dish makes a great palate-cleansing side dish.

 Similarly, sprinkle salt on daikon radish, squeeze out the water, and marinate it in umami dashi oil with finely chopped lemon juice. Combining citrus gives it a fresh, light flavor. Daikon Marinated Salad can also be elevated by adding fruits like grapefruit, persimmons, or apples, turning it into a refreshing salad.

 

 

 

Incorporating umami dashi oil into your cooking is a simple yet transformative way to elevate everyday dishes with depth and umami. Whether you're enhancing fresh vegetables, enriching salads, or creating quick side dishes, dashi oil adds a unique layer of flavor that brings out the best in each ingredient. Its versatility allows you to experiment with various oils and dashi combinations, making it a kitchen staple you’ll find yourself reaching for time and time again.