Sesame Spinach (Goma-Ae)
Sesame Spinach (Goma-ae) is a quick and healthy Japanese side dish with tender spinach, soy-maple dressing, and nutty sesame seeds
Servings: 4
Cost: $6
Ingredients
- 10 oz spinach
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tbs soy sauce
- 1 tbs maple syrup
- 4 tbs roasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Grind the roasted sesame seeds in a food grinder. Grind until mostly fine but still a little textured — reserve a pinch for garnish.
- Bring about 3 quarts water to a boil. Add salt, then add the spinach and blanch just until wilted (about 30–60 seconds), stirring occasionally.
- Immediately drain and cool under cold running water (or in an ice bath) to stop cooking.
- Squeeze out excess water gently – use your hands first, then wrap in a kitchen paper and squeeze again) Do not smash the spinach!
- Cut the spinach into bite-size pieces (about 1 inch long), then loosen the pieces using your hand so they’re not clumped together.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine soy sauce and maple syrup. Mix well.
- Add the spinach in the bowl until evenly coated
- Sprinkle the ground sesame over the spinach and toss again until evenly coated.
- Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the reserved sesame. Served chilled or at room temperature