UME OKAI (Salted Plum Rice Gruel)

3 to 4 large ume (salted plums)

2 to 3 pkgs. shaved, dried bonito

1 Tbsp. sake (rice wine)

1 Tbsp. sugar

½ tsp. shoyu

Remove seeds from ume and mash ume. Combine ume with all the other ingredients. Serve with okai.

MISO VARIATION:

Substitute 4 tablespoons miso and 1 heaping tablespoon sugar in place of the sugar, sake, and shoyu.