It's also the star of endless dinners, from beefy chili to veggie-forward curries to chicken and rice. I'm happy to eat it ...

If you don't have any shrimp stock in your freezer, substitute instant dashi stock, made with dashi bags (they look like tea bags, and can be found at shops selling Japanese products). Soak two ...

Serve in bowls with the scallion and bonito. NOTE: Instant dashi is Japanese stock made from bonito (dried tuna flakes) and seaweed. Look for it in the Asian section of supermarkets ...