japanese gomae →

This past weekend was the annual Toyota family picnic so I wanted to try my hand at making some of my favourite japanese dishes as an ode to the family. Gomae is a simple and delicious japanese dish that's easy to replicate at home. I know this because I've never made it before and I did it in about 5 minutes flat.

ingredients (approx. 6 servings):

1 lb bag (16 oz net weight) spinach

1/4 toasted sesame seeds (black or white)

2 tbsp gluten free tamari (or soy sauce)

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp sesame oil

Fill a large pot a quarter full with water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling toss in the bag of spinach and use a spoon or a pair of tongs to submerse the spinach allowing it to wilt. Allow it to boil in the water for no more than 20 secs. Then drain and rinse under cold water until it's cool enough to touch. Make sure you completely cool the spinach to stop it from cooking. You want it to remain the vibrant green colour. You can use your hands to squeeze the excess water from the spinach.

Using a mortar and pestle crush the sesame seeds. Alternatively you can also buy gomashio in specialty food stores, which is crushed sesame seeds with sea salt. Just be sure to slightly reduce the amount of tamari or soy sauce you use so that's it's not too salty. 

In a mixing bowl whisk together the tamari (or soy sauce), maple syrup, and sesame oil. Then stir in the crushed sesame seeds. Toss in the spinach and coat evenly.

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