Recipe: Appetizing Spicy 'Goma-ae' Spinach

Spicy 'Goma-ae' Spinach. My family's favourite 'Goma-ae Spinach' sometimes turns to this spicy 'Goma-ae' with Itokonnyaku/Shirataki for a change. Itokonnyaku or Shirataki is basically same as Konnyaku/Konjac made from grated Konnyaku Potatoes. They are very low in calories and good source of dietary fiber.

Blanched spinach dressed in a savory nutty sesame sauce, this Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing (Spinach Gomaae) is a healthy veggie side dish that goes well with everything. Spinach or green beans are often dressed in sesame sauce in Japanese cuisine. While the nutty sesame and verdant spinach are the dominant flavors, goma-ae is also smoky, subtly sweet and full of umami, thanks to the dashi-based dressing. You can cook Spicy 'Goma-ae' Spinach using 8 ingredients and 6 steps. Here is how you achieve that.

Ingredients of Spicy 'Goma-ae' Spinach

1. You need 1 bunch of (*about 250-300g) Spinach.
2. You need 180 g of packet x 2 Itokonnyaku/Shirataki *OR 100g Sweet Potato Noodles.
3. It's of <Spicy 'Goma-ae' Sauce>.
4. You need 2 tablespoons of Toasted Sesame Seeds *grated.
5. You need 1 tablespoon of Sugar.
6. Prepare 2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce.
7. It's 1 clove of Garlic *grated.
8. Prepare 1-2 teaspoons of Toban Djan (Chili Bean Sauce).

Spicy 'Goma-ae' Spinach step by step. Grind Toasted Sesame Seeds, add Sugar, Soy Sauce, Garlic and Toban Djan, mix well to make sauce. Wash Spinach well and boil in boiling water until just tender. Dip in cold water to stop cooking further, drain well and squeeze to remove excess water.

Spicy 'Goma-ae' Spinach instructions

1. Grind Toasted Sesame Seeds, add Sugar, Soy Sauce, Garlic and Toban Djan, mix well to make sauce..
2. Wash Spinach well and boil in boiling water until just tender. Dip in cold water to stop cooking further, drain well and squeeze to remove excess water. Cut into 5cm length..
3. Drain Itokonnyaku/Shirataki. Cut into 5cm length. Place in a saucepan, add Water to cover, bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes, then drain..
4. Itokonnyaku/Shirataki contain a lot of water. To remove water, stir-fry with 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil until water is gone. If you use non-stick frying pan, just dry fry with no Oil..
5. If you use Sweet Potato Starch Noodles, cook according to the instruction and drain very well, then cut into 5cm length..
6. Combine Spinach, Noodles and the 'Goma-ae' Sauce..

Goma means sesame and Ae means sauce in Japanese. It's made with vegetables and sesame dressing. The most common version in the west is in the form of spinach salad. Goma ae is my favourite way to eat spinach. Also it is an easily available vegetable to try Goma ae.