Boiled Spinach with Sesame Dressing

Ingredients (for 4 persons)

3/4 pound (340 grams) spinach

5 Tblsps. white sesame seeds

2 tsp. dashi (see dashi recipe)

1 Tblsp. soy sauce

1.  Wash spinach thoroughly.  Boil in a potful of water, with stalks at bottom and leafy parts at top, till soft.  Drain and rinse well.  Trim off spinach ends and squeeze out water.  Cut into 1 1/2-inch (4 cm) lengths.

2.  Roast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. When seeds begin to pop, remove (saving about 1 tsp. to use as garnish) to earthenware mortar and grind with pestle until the seeds are half-crushed.  Add soy sauce and dashi, mix well.

3.  Loosen spinach.  Add to the dressing, and mix well.

4.  Place in a small bowl and garnish with roasted sesame seeds.

Note:  Mix spinach and dressing just before serving.  Mixing too far in advance makes the dish watery.  By substituting cabbage, watercress or string beans for the spinach, similar dishes can be prepared.