Goma-ae style sesame spinach

Ingredients

For 1 serving

• Spinach500 g
• Sesame seeds30 g
• Tamari2.5 teaspoons
• Brown sugar2.5 teaspoons

Contains: soy, sesame

In season: October – April

Method

1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil over high heat and set a bowl of iced water beside it; meanwhile wash the spinach well and remove the toughest stalks.
2. Blanch the spinach for 1 minute, until just wilted and bright green; drain and plunge straight into the iced water.
3. Squeeze it hard with your hands to remove as much water as possible and cut it into pieces about 4 cm long.
4. Toast the sesame seeds in a small dry frying pan over medium heat for 1–2 minutes, shaking it, until golden and fragrant; grind them in a mortar with the brown sugar to a coarse powder, then stir in the tamari.
5. Dress the spinach with the sesame sauce, mixing with your fingers, and shape into small compact cylinders to serve.