Gomae Spinach Salad (or Goma-ae)

Happy 2016 everyone!! Let’s start this new year right with a healthy recipe! 🙂 This traditional Japanese side dish, Gomae, is loaded with spinach and seasoned with a delicious, creamy sesame dressing.

I am in love with the sesame dressing! And it’s interesting that this dish is named after this dressing. One of my readers pointed out that the word “Goma” essentially means sesame seeds and “Ae” means to dress (Thanks, Franca! :)) And I really can’t get enough of this stuff! Any time I go to a Japanese restaurant, the only dishes I order are basically sushi and gomae. I only wish that the portions were bigger! But now that I have developed my own recipe for gomae, I can help myself to as many portions as I would like! 😀

Not only is this salad delicious but it is healthy too. I mean everyone knows that spinach is good for you, but do we really know just how good? Well, I did some research and this is what I found:

• low in fat and low in cholesterol
• provides protein
• loaded with vitamins: niacin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate
• loaded with minerals: zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese
• high in fibre
• acts as an antioxidant
• lowers the risk of cancer
• promotes a healthy cardiovascular system
• lowers blood pressure
• improves bone health
• maintains brain function, memory and mental clarity

Okay, guys… looks like Popeye was on to something. So what are you waiting for? Start 2016 right by trying this recipe for a delicious way to eat this POWER FOOD!

Gomae Spinach Salad

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★★★★ 4 from 1 reviews

• Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
• Prep Time: 8 mins
• Cook Time: 1 min
• Total Time: 9 minutes
• Yield: 4 starter salads
• Category: Salad

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Description

Traditional Japanese gomae spinach salad is loaded with spinach and seasoned with a delicious, creamy sesame dressing.

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Ingredients

• 4 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 4 tablespoon water
• 1/4 teaspoon corn starch
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 teaspoon sugar
• 6 cups water
• 2 large bunches of spinach
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Roast the sesame seeds in a frying pan until they begin to brown.
2. Set aside 1 tablespoon for garnish. Grind the remaining seeds in a blender or food processor. Set aside,
3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water, until fully dissolved.
4. Add the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce and sugar and mix well.
5. Heat in a small saucepan on medium-high until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove and pour into a bowl. Place in fridge to let it cool.
6. Boil the water and salt in a large saucepan.
7. Add the spinach to the boiling water for 1 minute.
8. Dump spinach into a colander and run cold water through it (in order to stop the cooking process completely).
9. Squeeze the spinach using your hands to drain all the water.
10. Split into 4 small portions. Add one tablespoon of your sesame sauce on top and garnish with a pinch of roasted sesame seeds.