Spinach with sesame paste

serves 4

• 2 T. white sesame seeds
• 2 t. sugar
• 2 T. soy sauce
• 2 t. dashi
• 1 lb. (450 g) fresh spinach bonito shavings, as desired

Direction

Wash and drain the white sesame seeds (illus. 1). Toast by heating in a dry frying pan over low heat (use no oil; illus. 2). Grind into a powder (illus. 3 ) and mix together well with 2 t. sugar,2 T. soy sauce,2 t. dashi. This is the sesame paste.

Wash the spinach thoroughly and blanch in boiling water about 1 minute. Rinse in tap water to cool. Squeeze out the excess moisture. Cut into 2" (5 cm) sections. Place in a serving dish. Toss with the sesame paste and top with bonito shavings to serve.

Other vegetables, such as string beans, garland chrysanthemum (shungiku), Chinese cabbage, and so forth, may be substituted for the spinach.

The white sesame seeds may, as an alternative, be toasted and sprinkled directly on the spinach instead of first ground into a powder.