Goma Ae (Japanese Spinach with Sesame Dressing)
Goma Ae (Japanese Spinach with Sesame Dressing)
Ingredients
For the Sesame Dressing
- 1/4 cup hulled white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons San-J Tamari (soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon honey
For the Spinach
- 1 pound mature spinach
- as needed water, for boiling
Instructions
- 1
Toast the sesame seeds: Place the hulled white sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Continuously agitate the seeds by shaking the pan or stirring with a wooden spoon. Toast until they turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 4 min
- 2
Prepare the sesame paste: Transfer the freshly toasted sesame seeds to a suribachi (Japanese mortar) or a blender. If using a suribachi, grind the seeds with a surikogi (pestle) until they form a coarse, crumbly paste, releasing their oils. If using a blender, pulse until a similar texture is achieved.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Make the dressing: To the sesame paste, add the San-J Tamari, mirin, and honey. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and you have a thick, dark brown dressing.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Prepare the spinach for cooking: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. While the water is heating, wash the mature spinach thoroughly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Cook the spinach: Stand the spinach upright in the boiling water, allowing the stalks to cook first for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, submerge the rest of the leaves and cook for an additional 30-60 seconds, for a total cooking time of approximately 90 seconds. The spinach should be tender but still vibrant green.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 212
- 6
Cool and drain the spinach: Immediately remove the spinach from the boiling water and transfer it to a colander. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, gather the spinach in your hands and firmly squeeze out as much excess water as possible.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Chop the spinach: On a cutting board, chop the squeezed spinach into manageable 1 to 2-inch pieces.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Combine and serve: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped spinach with the prepared sesame dressing. Mix well to ensure the spinach is evenly coated. Serve cold as an appetizer.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Goma Ae (Japanese Spinach with Sesame Dressing)
Ingredients
For the Sesame Dressing
- 1/4 cup hulled white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons San-J Tamari (soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon honey
For the Spinach
- 1 pound mature spinach
- as needed water, for boiling
Instructions
- 1
Toast the sesame seeds: Place the hulled white sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Continuously agitate the seeds by shaking the pan or stirring with a wooden spoon. Toast until they turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 4 min - 2
Prepare the sesame paste: Transfer the freshly toasted sesame seeds to a suribachi (Japanese mortar) or a blender. If using a suribachi, grind the seeds with a surikogi (pestle) until they form a coarse, crumbly paste, releasing their oils. If using a blender, pulse until a similar texture is achieved.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Make the dressing: To the sesame paste, add the San-J Tamari, mirin, and honey. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and you have a thick, dark brown dressing.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Prepare the spinach for cooking: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. While the water is heating, wash the mature spinach thoroughly.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Cook the spinach: Stand the spinach upright in the boiling water, allowing the stalks to cook first for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, submerge the rest of the leaves and cook for an additional 30-60 seconds, for a total cooking time of approximately 90 seconds. The spinach should be tender but still vibrant green.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 212 - 6
Cool and drain the spinach: Immediately remove the spinach from the boiling water and transfer it to a colander. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, gather the spinach in your hands and firmly squeeze out as much excess water as possible.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Chop the spinach: On a cutting board, chop the squeezed spinach into manageable 1 to 2-inch pieces.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Combine and serve: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped spinach with the prepared sesame dressing. Mix well to ensure the spinach is evenly coated. Serve cold as an appetizer.
⏱️ 2 min