Goma Ae

Goma-ae is a classic Japanese side dish featuring blanched spinach tossed in a sweet and savory sesame dressing.

Ingredients - Serves 4

Wash the spinach thoroughly and blanch it in boiling water for 1 minute.
Drain the spinach and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Squeeze out the excess water and cut the spinach into 2-inch lengths.
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until they're golden brown.
Grind the toasted sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle until they're crushed.
Add the soy sauce, sugar, and mirin to the crushed sesame seeds and mix well to create the dressing.
Toss the spinach in the sesame dressing until it's well coated.
Serve the goma-ae chilled or at room temperature.