Salads
Hōrensō no goma-ae (Japanese spinach with sesame)
Blanched spinach dressed with freshly ground toasted sesame, soy and a touch of sugar. A nutty little side from the Japanese bento box.
- 14 min10 prep · 4 cook
- EasyDifficulty
- 90 kcalper serving
Ingredients
4 servings
- Spinach300 g
- White sesame seeds3 tbsp
- Soy sauce1½ tbsp
- Sugar1 tbsp
- Mirin1 tsp
- Saltto taste
Missing something? Ingredients with × can be left out.
Steps
- 1
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan, shaking often, until golden and fragrant.
- 2
Grind the seeds roughly in a mortar, then mix in the soy sauce, sugar and mirin.
- 3
Blanch the spinach in salted boiling water, stems first, then plunge it into iced water.
- 4
Squeeze the spinach firmly to remove as much water as possible and cut it into 4 cm lengths.
- 5
Toss the spinach with the sesame dressing and serve in small mounds.
Tips and questions
- Why squeeze the spinach so hard?
- Any water left dilutes the sesame dressing and makes the dish watery and bland.
- Can I use other greens?
- Yes, green beans, broccoli or chard are all classic goma-ae alternatives.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Blanch the spinach and make the dressing up to a day ahead, but mix them just before serving.
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