Horenso no goma-ae (spinach & sesame salad)

Enjoy a delightful culinary experience with Horenso no Goma-ae, a traditional Japanese spinach and sesame salad. This easy-to-make recipe combines toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, a hint of spice, sugar, and fresh spinach for a perfectly balanced, savory dish that's both healthy and delicious. Perfect as a side or a light main course. Indulge your taste buds in the authentic flavors of Japan!

  • 04 Apr 2025
  • Cook time 5 min
  • Prep time 10 min
  • 6 Servings
  • 6 Ingredients

Horenso no goma-ae (spinach & sesame salad)

Horenso no goma-ae is a traditional Japanese dish that translates to spinach with sesame dressing. This healthy and delicious salad combines the nutty flavor of sesame seeds with fresh spinach, creating a flavorful dish that's perfect as a side or light meal.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup sesame seeds
50g
1 tbsp soy sauce
16g
1 tsp spice mix
5g
2 tsp sugar
10g
1 tbsp water
16g
3 cups spinach
90g

Instructions:

1. Toast the Sesame Seeds:
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sesame seeds and toast them until they become fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove from heat and let them cool.
2. Grind the Sesame Seeds:
- Once the sesame seeds have cooled, place them in a mortar and pestle (or use a spice grinder).
- Grind the seeds into a coarse powder. It's okay if some seeds remain whole, as this adds texture to the salad.
3. Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, spice mix, sugar, and water.
- Mix well until the sugar is fully dissolved and you have a smooth dressing.
4. Blanch the Spinach:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add the spinach and blanch for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until wilted.
- Immediately transfer the spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and retain its vibrant green color.
- Once cooled, drain the spinach and squeeze out any excess water. You can gently pat it dry with a paper towel as well.
5. Combine Spinach and Dressing:
- Cut the blanched spinach into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the spinach in a mixing bowl and pour the sesame dressing over it.
- Toss well to ensure the spinach is evenly coated with the dressing.
6. Serve:
- Transfer the dressed spinach to a serving dish.
- Optionally, you can sprinkle some additional whole sesame seeds on top for garnish.
7. Enjoy:
- Serve the Horenso no Goma-ae as a side dish with your favorite Japanese meal. This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but it can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a day.

Tips:

- Use fresh spinach to ensure the best texture and flavor. Baby spinach is a good alternative if regular spinach is unavailable.

- Toast the sesame seeds lightly before grinding them to enhance their nutty flavor.

- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and sugar according to your taste preferences.

- Ensure the spinach is thoroughly drained after blanching to prevent the dressing from becoming too watery.

- For added flavor, you can incorporate a splash of rice vinegar or some grated ginger into the dressing.

Horenso no goma-ae is a delightful way to enjoy spinach. Its nutty sesame dressing perfectly complements the freshness of the spinach, creating a flavorful and nutritious dish. With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can bring a touch of Japanese cuisine into your kitchen. Enjoy this salad as a side dish or a healthy snack!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size30 grams
Energy
Calories 66kcal3%
Protein
Protein 2.33g2%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 3.15g1%
Fiber 1.22g3%
Sugar 1.78g2%
Fat
Fat 5g6%
Saturated 0.76g3%
Cholesterol 0.00mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 45ug5%
Choline 5mg1%
Vitamin B1 0.07mg6%
Vitamin B2 0.04mg3%
Vitamin B3 0.61mg4%
Vitamin B6 0.07mg4%
Vitamin B9 27ug7%
Vitamin B12 0.00ug0%
Vitamin C 4.54mg5%
Vitamin E 0.44mg3%
Vitamin K 70ug60%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 16mg1%
Copper, Cu 0.13mg14%
Iron, Fe 0.72mg7%
Magnesium, Mg 44mg11%
Phosphorus, P 63mg5%
Potassium, K 110mg3%
Selenium, Se 2.86ug5%
Sodium, Na 160mg10%
Zinc, Zn 0.64mg6%
Water
Water 18g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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