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Komatsuna Goma Ae

Goma Ae (meaning sesame dressed) can be made with pretty much any green veg, from obvious things like radish greens and pak choi, to more western greens like broccoli or green beans.

Serves: 4 l Prep time: 10 minutes l Total time: 10 minutes

Chop the komatsuna into 10-15cm long sections, if the stems are thicker than 5cm, slice them length ways until they are roughly 1-2 cm in width. Drop the komatsuna into boiling water for 2 minutes if the stems are thicker, or 1 minute for thinner stems Remove the komatsuna and shock in cold (preferably iced) water for 30 seconds, then spread out on a rack or tea towel to drain and dry fully. Toast the sesame seeds until browned and fragrant. Add the sugar, chillies and sesame seeds to a mortar and grind until the sesame seeds break down slightly. Slowly add soy sauce and rice wine vinegar/sake to taste for the desired balance of salty, sweet, and umami . Combine the komatsuna and dressing, tossing as a salad. Traditionally, Goma Ae is served as individual side dishes rather than as a large communal salad.

Ingredients

Komatsuna
Light soy sauce (ideally Japanese or Korean)
Sesame seeds (any colour)
Granulated sugar
Rice wine vinegar or dry sake
Mild fresh chilies, such as Japone/Serrone

Method

Chop the komatsuna into 10-15cm long sections, if the stems are thicker than 5cm, slice them length ways until they are roughly 1-2 cm in width.
Drop the komatsuna into boiling water for 2 minutes if the stems are thicker, or 1 minute for thinner stems
Remove the komatsuna and shock in cold (preferably iced) water for 30 seconds, then spread out on a rack or tea towel to drain and dry fully.
Toast the sesame seeds until browned and fragrant.
Add the sugar, chillies and sesame seeds to a mortar and grind until the sesame seeds break down slightly.
Slowly add soy sauce and rice wine vinegar/sake to taste for the desired balance of salty, sweet, and umami .
Combine the komatsuna and dressing, tossing as a salad. Traditionally, Goma Ae is served as individual side dishes rather than as a large communal salad.

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