RecipeTin Eats’ sesame dressing will make you eat a whole bunch of spinach in one sitting

Name: RecipeTin Eats’ sesame dressing will make you eat a whole bunch of spinach in one sitting
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 6 as part of a banquet
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 large bunch English spinach (at least 250g)

Nagi Maehashi

October 5, 2023

Spinach gomae is a tasty way to eat your greens.Rob Palmer; Styling: Emma Knowles

easyTime:< 30 minsServes:6 as part of a banquet

How to make someone eat a whole bunch of spinach in one sitting? Make spinach gomae! The intensely flavoured sesame dressing is addictive and works with any vegetable, but spinach is by far my favourite.

Ingredients

1 large bunch English spinach (at least 250g)

Sesame dressing

3 tbsp Asian toasted sesame seeds (see note)
1 tbsp Japanese soy sauce (I use Kikkoman)
2 tsp caster sugar
1 pinch cooking salt

Method

Step 1
To make the sesame dressing, grind the sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle until half the seeds are ground. Add soy sauce, sugar and salt to the sesame and mix well. Set aside.
Step 2
To prepare the spinach, discard any bad leaves and stems and give it a good rinse under cold water. Remove the scraggly root, leaving the pink part at the very end intact (it’s part of the look!). Bring 3 litres of water to the boil in a large pot. Using tongs, dip the root end of the spinach into the water, giving it a 30-second head start. Then push the whole thing in and cook for 30 seconds. Drain and cool under cold running water, then squeeze out the water.
Step 3
To assemble, cut the spinach into 5cm sections. Working a handful at a time, squeeze out the excess water again then place in a bowl. Untangle the leaves with your fingers, pour over the dressing and toss. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

Asian sesame seeds are larger and have a more intense sesame flavour than standard ones, so they make a richer, creamier sauce. They are sold at Asian and Japanese grocery stores.