Gomaae

Gomaae 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.
Immediately drain and rinse the spinach in 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 and fragrant.
Grind the sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle until they're crushed.
Add the soy sauce, sugar, and sake to the mortar and mix until it forms a paste.
Toss the spinach in the sesame dressing until it's evenly coated.
Serve the gomaae chilled or at room temperature.