Spinach with Sesame Dressing
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach — 400 g (14.1 oz)
- Toasted sesame seeds, ground — 3 tbsp
- Soy sauce — 2 tbsp
- Sugar — 1 tbsp
- Water — 1 tbsp
Method
- Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, until just wilted.
- Drain and immediately rinse under cold water, then squeeze out excess moisture and cut into short lengths.
- Grind the toasted sesame seeds to a coarse paste using a mortar and pestle.
- Mix the ground sesame with the soy sauce, sugar, and water to form a smooth dressing.
- Toss the spinach with the sesame dressing and serve at room temperature or chilled.
Introduction: Blanched spinach dressed in a rich, nutty sesame sauce, a simple, well-loved side dish combining a fresh green with a comforting nutty flavour.
Cultural Background: Sesame has been cultivated and used across Japanese cooking for centuries, and dishes pairing lightly cooked greens with a sesame-based dressing (goma-ae) developed into an enduring, much-loved category of side dish.
Tips: Squeeze the blanched spinach firmly to remove excess water, or the dressing will become watery.
Variations: Green beans or other leafy vegetables can be prepared the same way.
Nutrition: Approx. 90 kcal per serving.
FAQs:
Q: What does ‘goma-ae’ mean?
A: It refers to a category of dishes dressed with a sesame sauce, a long-established and widely loved style of preparing vegetables in Japanese cuisine.
Q: Can this be made ahead?
A: Yes, it holds well chilled for a few hours before serving.
- Fresh spinach — 400 g (14.1 oz)
- Toasted sesame seeds, ground — 3 tbsp
- Soy sauce — 2 tbsp
- Sugar — 1 tbsp
- Water — 1 tbsp
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