Spinach Gomaae – Japanese Sesame Spinach

Classic Japanese spinach salad with a rich sesame dressing of toasted sesame, soy sauce, sugar and mirin. Simple, healthy and delicious as part of a Japanese meal.

• 400 g fresh spinach
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Method

1. 1
   Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds. Rinse with cold water and squeeze out excess liquid. Cut into 4 cm lengths.
2. 2
   Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden and fragrant. Grind coarsely in a mortar.
3. 3
   Mix ground sesame with soy sauce, sugar, mirin and sesame oil to make a dressing.
4. 4
   Toss spinach with the dressing and serve at room temperature.