Japanese Sesame Spinach Recipes

JAPANESE SPINACH SALAD WITH SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and place spinach in stem side first. Cook the spinach for 30 seconds and then immediently strain and rinse with cold water.
• Squeeze out excess moisture and water. Gather the spinach and roughly chop the spinach 3-4 times and then place it into a bowl.
• Add the toasted sesame seeds to a suribachi (motor / grinding bowl) and grind with surikogi (pestal / wooden stick) and roughly grind the sesame seeds (does not have to all be grinded). Add the sugar, soy sauce and sake/mirin and mix together.
• Pour the dressing over the spinach and toss together. Serve and enjoy!
• Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

JAPANESE SPINACH WITH SWEET SESAME SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the spinach 3 to 4 cups at a time. Cook and stir to wilt, then add more spinach.
• Grind the sesame seeds into fine crumbs using a mortar and pestle. When spinach is wilted, move it to the sides of the pan and sprinkle sugar in the center. When the sugar melts, stir in the spinach to coat.
• Transfer spinach to a serving plate and sprinkle ground sesame seeds on top.

JAPANESE-STYLE SPINACH, WITH SESAME SEEDS

Steps:

• Toast sesame seeds by placing them in a pan in a 300-degree oven for about 10 minutes, until lightly brown. Set aside.
• Thoroughly wash spinach, dry it and remove stems. Coarsely chop.
• Heat peanut oil in a large skillet, add spinach and cook, stirring, from three to five minutes, until the moisture has evaporated from the pan and the spinach has just wilted.
• Spoon spinach into a serving dish, toss with sesame oil and soy sauce and serve sprinkled with sesame seed.

SESAME SEARED TUNA AND SUSHI BAR SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Place spinach in a dry pot set over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until it just begins to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer into a strainer to cool.
• While spinach cools, toast white sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until light golden brown. Transfer into a mortar and pestle and crush into a very coarse paste, leaving some seeds whole. Add white sugar, soy sauce, and mirin. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine and reserve.
• Transfer cooled spinach to a towel and squeeze out any excess liquid. Chop roughly and add to a mixing bowl. Add the dressing and mix well. Cover and chill thoroughly before serving.
• Mix mayonnaise, miso paste, and rice vinegar together for miso mayo sauce. Place in the refrigerator until needed.
• Lightly salt tuna steaks, and then coat all sides well with as many sesame seeds as you like, pressing them lightly as you do.
• Brush a nonstick pan with oil and place over medium heat. Sear tuna steaks in the hot pan for 30 to 45 seconds on each side, as well as each edges.
• Slice and place tuna over the miso sauce. Brush tuna with ponzu and serve with spinach salad on the side.

JAPANESE SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Clean the spinach and remove any tough stems. Shake off excess water and place in a pot. Set aside.
• In a dry skillet, roast the sesame seeds for a couple of minutes until fragrant and golden. DO NOT burn them!
• Combine sugar and soy sauce. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the sesame seeds.
• Place spinach on high heat and steam for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Drain if necessary. Toss with soy-sesame mixture and serve.