Spinach with Sesame Dressing (from Japanese Home Cooking)

This favourite of ours is posted by request. It's a lovely summer side dish, as it's served cold.

• Ready In: 18 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 340  g spinach
• 5  tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2  teaspoons  dashi (I make up instant granules)
• 1  tablespoon soy sauce

Directions

1. Wash spinach thorughly.
2. Boil in a potful of water, with stalks at the bottom, and leafy parts at the top, till soft.
3. Drain and rinse well.
4. Trim off the ends (leaving most of the stalk, but evening the bunch up) and squeeze out the water.
5. Cut into 4cm lengths.
6. Roast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over low heat until golden, Reserve a tablespoon for garnish, and half crush the rest with a pestle and mortar.
7. Add the soy sauce and dashi and mix well.
8. Loosen the spinach.
9. Add the dressing, and mix well.
10. Place in a small bowl and garnish with the reserved sesame seeds.
11. Cabbage, beans or watercress can be substituted to prepare similar dishes.