Spinach Gomaae (Seasoned with Sesame Sauce)

Spinach Gomaae is a traditional Japanese side dish. The slightly sweet and savory flavor of ground sesame mixed with soy sauce stimulates your appetite. It is an ideal dish to incorporate vegetables into your diet.

Jump to:

• What is Spinach Gomaae?
• Health benefits of sesame seeds
• Making ground sesame seeds?
• Other vegetables used for gomaae
• Ingredients
• Step-by-step instructions
• Tips on how to make
• Recipe Card

What is Spinach Gomaae?

Spinach Gomaae is a traditional Japanese cold dish made with spinach and a sweet and savory sesame sauce. Goma means sesame seeds, and ae refers to tossing with seasonings, so Gomaae means tossing with sesame sauce. You can enjoy the nutritional benefits of spinach and sesame seeds in a delicious way.

The sesame sauce used for gomaae can be easily prepared by mixing ground sesame seeds, sugar and soy sauce.

Due to its ease of preparation and nutritional value, this dish is a popular choice in Japan for breakfast or bento boxes (lunch boxes).

Health benefits of sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are a healthy food that you should actively include in your daily diet. They contain sesame lignans, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, calcium, iron, and magnesium, all packed into a single seed. These nutrients can help lower bad cholesterol, improve liver function, and promote a more youthful body.

Therefore, gomaae is an ideal way to enjoy the nutritional benefits of sesame seeds in a delicious way.

Making ground sesame seeds?

To make gomaae dish, ground sesame seeds are essential. They are commonly available in Japanese grocery stores. What about in your area?

If you can only get raw sesame seeds, you will need to toast and grind them yourself to make gomaae. In that case, it will take a little more time and effort, but you can enjoy the aroma of freshly toasted sesame seeds.

When toasting sesame seeds, avoid using a non-stick coated pan or pot. Sesame seeds are so small that heating them in such a pan is almost like heating them without any ingredients, which can cause harmful substances to be produced.

To grind sesame seeds, you will need a mortar and pestle. If you don't have one, you can use a food processor as a substitute.

Other vegetables used for gomaae

Gomaae can be made with a variety of vegetables other than spinach.

Spinach is the most popular choice, but it is also commonly used with green beans, broccoli, and carrots. If you enjoy this recipe, try using it to make a gomaae dish with your favorite vegetables.

Here is the recipe for "Green Bean Gomaae."

Ingredients

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Step-by-step instructions

🕒 Total 20 mins

If you have ground sesame seeds, start from step 3.
If you are using toasted sesame seeds that have not been ground, you can start from step 2.

Step 1
Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over very low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until a few sesame seeds start to pop. If you are toasting raw sesame seeds, it should take about 5 minutes. If you are re-toasting sesame seeds that have been previously toasted, it should take about 2 minutes.

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Step 2
Grind the toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle. If you don't have one, you can use a food processor as a substitute.

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Step 3
Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring to a boil.

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Step 4
Mix the ground sesame seeds, sugar, and soy sauce in a bowl.

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Step 5
When the water comes to a boil, add salt (approximately 1% of the water's volume, not included in the recipe) and put the spinach in the pot, starting from the root end. Boil only the stems for a minute, then submerge the spinach leaves in the water and boil them for 30 seconds.

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Step 6
Remove the spinach from the pot and cool under running water. When the spinach has cooled, squeeze out the water well.

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Step 7
Trim off the spinach roots and cut the remaining portions into 1.6 inch (4cm) lengths.

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Step 8
Put the spinach in the bowl and toss with the sesame sauce.

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To Store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips on how to make

• When toasting sesame seeds, keep the pot or pan on low heat and shake it constantly. This will prevent the sesame seeds from burning.
• Boil the spinach in a large pot of salted water. The purpose of using plenty of water is to remove the harsh taste from the spinach, and salt is added to prevent the color of the spinach from fading.
• Spinach should be boiled starting from the stems. Then, boil the leaves to ensure even cooking.
• Toss the spinach just before serving, as the sesame sauce contains salt from the soy sauce. If you toss it too early, the spinach will release water, and the dish will become watery over time.

Recipe Card