Easy Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing

Nutty, savory-sweet, and ready in just 15 minutes! This classic Japanese Spinach Salad (Horenso no Gomaae) features tender spinach tossed in a homemade sesame dressing made with toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar.

By @justonecookbook

Original recipe source

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 0 sesame seeds
• 0 spinach stems
• 0 spinach leaves
• 0 ice water
• 0 spinach
• 0 soy sauce
• 0 sugar
• 0 sesame dressing

Instructions

1. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant.
2. Blanch the spinach stems first in boiling water for about 30 seconds.
3. Add the spinach leaves to the boiling water and blanch for another 30 seconds.
4. Immediately transfer the spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
5. Squeeze out the excess water from the spinach to ensure the dressing stays rich and flavorful.
6. In a bowl, combine the toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar to make the sesame dressing.
7. Toss the squeezed spinach with the sesame dressing until well coated.
8. Serve the spinach salad as a side dish with your Japanese meal or bento lunch.