Spinach Goma-ae 🥗 Japanese Sesame 🇯🇵

Description

Tender blanched spinach tossed in a fragrant, lightly sweet sesame dressing—nutty, clean, perfectly balanced. 🌿

Hook
Silky greens + toasty sesame = minimalist umami at its best! 🥢

Ingredients

• 🥬 Spinach: 300 g (10.6 oz)
• 💧 Water for blanching: 2 l (2.1 qt)
• 🧂 Salt for blanching: 20 g (0.7 oz)
• Sesame dressing (goma-dare):
• 🌾 Toasted sesame seeds: 16 g (2 tbsp) + 2 g (½ tsp) for garnish
• 🍶 Soy sauce: 15 ml (1 tbsp)
• 🍯 Mirin: 15 ml (1 tbsp)
• 🍚 Sugar: 4 g (1 tsp)
• 🍶 Rice vinegar: 5 ml (1 tsp)
• 🛢️ Sesame oil (optional): 2 ml (½ tsp)

Preparation

1. 1️⃣ Blanch: Bring 2 l (2.1 qt) water with 20 g (0.7 oz) salt to a boil. Add spinach and cook 30–40 sec until just wilted.
2. 2️⃣ Shock & squeeze: Transfer to ice water, drain, and gently squeeze out excess. Cut into 4–5 cm (1½–2 in) lengths.
3. 3️⃣ Grind sesame: In a suribachi/mortar, grind 16 g (2 tbsp) warm toasted sesame to a coarse paste.
4. 4️⃣ Make dressing: Whisk in 15 ml (1 tbsp) soy, 15 ml (1 tbsp) mirin, 4 g (1 tsp) sugar, 5 ml (1 tsp) rice vinegar, and 2 ml (½ tsp) sesame oil until glossy.
5. 5️⃣ Toss & serve: Fold spinach with dressing. Mound in a small bowl and sprinkle with 2 g (½ tsp) sesame seeds.

Total Time

🕒 Preparation: 10 min
🔥 Cooking: 2 min
💤 Rest/Chill: 5 min
⏰ Total: 17 min

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