Goma-ae (Spinach with Sesame Dressing)

A simple and healthy Japanese side dish of blanched spinach tossed in a sweet and nutty sesame dressing.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Total Time

15 minutes

Calories

288 kcal

Difficulty

Easy

Equipment

3 items

Cost

£0.67/serving

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Cooking Style:

Dietary:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1poundFresh Spinach(Baby spinach or regular spinach, well washed)

£1.75

3tablespoonsToasted Sesame Seeds(White or black sesame seeds, lightly toasted for enhanced flavor)

£0.35

2tablespoonsSoy Sauce(Use gluten-free soy sauce for a gluten-free version)

£0.10

2tablespoonsMirin(Sweet rice wine)

£0.25

1tablespoonSugar(Granulated sugar)

£0.05

1teaspoonRice Vinegar(Adds a touch of acidity)

£0.05

1teaspoonSesame Oil(For extra sesame flavor)

£0.15

Total Cost

£2.70

£0.67 per serving

Instructions

1.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2.
Add the spinach to the boiling water and blanch for 15-30 seconds, until wilted and bright green. Be careful not to overcook.
3.
Immediately transfer the spinach to a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Squeeze out as much excess water as possible with your hands.
4.
Roughly chop the spinach into bite-sized pieces.
5.
In a dry skillet, toast the sesame seeds over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Alternatively, use pre-toasted sesame seeds.
6.
Grind the toasted sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. You can also use a resealable bag and a rolling pin.
7.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
8.
Add the chopped spinach to the dressing and toss to coat evenly.
9.
Serve immediately or chill for later.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (142g)

288 kcal / 1205 kJ

Carbs

21g

8% of RDA

Fat

18g

26% of RDA

Protein

13g

26% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

8 g

27% of RDA

Sugar

12 g

13% of RDA

Sodium

1150 mg

50% of RDA

Saturated Fat

2 g

10% of RDA

Chef's Tips

Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach after blanching to prevent the dressing from becoming watery.

Adjust the amount of sugar and soy sauce to your taste preference.

For a richer flavor, add a small amount of grated ginger or garlic to the dressing.

Goma-ae can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The spinach may become slightly less vibrant over time.

Cooking Equipment

Saucepan

Colander

Mixing Bowl

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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