Goma-ae

Goma-ae is a traditional Japanese dish featuring blanched vegetables like spinach or green beans dressed in a rich, nutty sesame sauce. This recipe combines simple preparation with complex flavors, making it a celebrated side dish in Japanese cuisine. The secret to delicious Goma-ae lies in precisely blanching the vegetables to retain their vibrant color and crisp texture, followed by coating them in a smooth sesame dressing. The dish harmoniously balances umami from the sesame paste, sweetness from the mirin, and a hint of saltiness from the soy sauce. Goma-ae is versatile, ideal for both vegan and vegetarian diets, and pairs well with various main dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch spinach, stems removed
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
• 2 Tbsp sesame paste
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp mirin
• 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Add the spinach and blanch for 1 minute. Immediately transfer the spinach to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
3. Once cooled, drain the spinach and gently squeeze out excess water to ensure no bitterness from the water remains.
4. Using a mortar and pestle, grind the toasted sesame seeds until they are coarse but not completely powdered.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the sesame paste, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar until well mixed.
6. Incorporate the ground sesame seeds into the sauce, stirring to create a smooth, nutty dressing.
7. Gently toss the drained spinach in the sesame dressing, ensuring even coating of the leaves.
8. Plate and serve the Goma-ae chilled or at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.

Keywords: Vegetables, Healthy, Blanched, Nutty, Umami

Spice Rack: Sesame Seeds, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Sugar

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