Spinach Gomae (Spinach with Sesame Dressing)
Horenso no Gomae
A staple side dish in the Japanese 'ichiju-sansai' meal structure. Blanched spinach is tossed with a nutty, savory-sweet dressing made from freshly ground toasted sesame seeds. It's a delicious way to eat a large volume of greens.
Time
10m
Servings
4
Difficulty
easy
Budget
$
The Story
Gomae translates to 'sesame dressing.' In traditional Japanese cooking, vegetables are rarely eaten raw; blanching is preferred as it softens fibrous vegetables, makes them easier to digest, and reduces volume, allowing you to eat more. Sesame seeds (goma) are a crucial source of healthy fats and calcium in the Japanese diet. Preparing the dressing traditionally involves using a suribachi (a ridged ceramic mortar) to grind the toasted seeds, releasing their aromatic oils just before serving.
✓Healthy Swaps & Tips
- • Substitute the sugar with half the amount of honey or stevia if you are minimizing added sugars.
- • Use green beans, asparagus, or kale instead of spinach for variety.
- • Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 300gfresh spinach
- 3 tbsptoasted white sesame seeds
- 1½ tbspsoy sauce
- 1 tbspsugar
- ½ tbspmirin
Instructions
Grind the toasted sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a small food processor until they are roughly crushed and aromatic. Leave some seeds whole for texture.
In a bowl, mix the ground sesame seeds with the soy sauce, sugar, and mirin to form a thick paste.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the spinach for 30-45 seconds until bright green and wilted.
Immediately drain and plunge the spinach into ice water to stop the cooking and preserve the color.
Squeeze the spinach firmly to remove as much water as possible. Cut into 4cm lengths.
Toss the spinach with the sesame dressing just before serving.
Common Questions
Why is it important to squeeze the spinach?
If you don't squeeze out the excess water, the dressing will become diluted and the dish will be watery and bland.
Can I use pre-ground sesame seeds?
You can, but grinding whole toasted seeds right before making the dressing releases essential oils that provide a much richer, nuttier flavor.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated values based on standard ingredients.
Nutrition info is provided as a general guide. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes.
