Japanese sesame salad – Goma ae
About Japanese sesame salad – Goma ae
Japanese sesame salad – Goma ae is a very common vegetable side dish in Japan. I make it often because it’s so easy and quick to make and delicious. Also it is convenient since you can make it immediately when you want another dish.
Generally, roasted sesame is grinded, seasoned with sugar and soy sauce, and then mixed with vegetables. Sesame seeds have a nutty flavor and a pleasant crunchy texture. The sesame and sweet and savory seasoning enhance the taste of the vegetables.
It seems sesame seeds are good for your health. If you like, please find more information about sesame seeds via the link below.
Recipe tips
Here, I will write some points and tips for making it.
In Japan, people use mortar and pestle to grind sesame seeds. As I don’t have them, I use a small food processor, chopper or hand blender instead. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s very convenient because it can be done in a few seconds. Grind with pulse mode until desired grinding.
There are white sesame seeds and black sesame seeds. It is beautiful if you use it depending on the color of the vegetables. For example, orange carrots with black sesame seeds, dark green spinach with white sesame seeds.
I don’t include this step in my recipe, but If you have time, you can toast the sesame seeds in a frying pan for a couple of minutes before grinding. This gives a wonderful aroma and flavor.
You can use various vegetables for this side dish. In Japan spinach and green beans goma ae are popular. I use various vegetables. Besides spinach and green beans, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, burdock roots, etc. are also delicious. You can also try mixing multiple vegetables. As shown in the picture, it is nice to serve 2-3 sort of vegetables on the same tableware.
As for seasoning, the basic ratio of sesame sauce is sesame seeds: soy sauce: sugar = 3: 1: 1. However, you can adjust the amount to your liking. It is also delicious with the addition of sesame oil or a small amount of mayonnaise. Please try various things and make your favorite Japanese sesame salad.
Goma ae – Japanese sesame salad
Equipment
- A small food processor or chopper or hand blender
Ingredients
- 250 ~ 300 gram Vegetable of your choice
- 1 teaspoon Salt (for green vegetables)
- 2 tablespoon Roasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoon Japanese soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Sesame oil (optional)
Instructions
- When you use leafy green vegetables such as spinach : wash and drain the water. Boil plenty of hot water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Put the leafy vegetables in boiling water, submerge and boil for about 1 minute.Immediately soak in cold water after boiling. When it cools, transfer it to a cutting board and cut it into 3 ~4 cm width. Then squeeze it to drain excess water.
- When using root vegetables such as carrots and burdock roots : wash, peel and cut into easy-to-eat pieces (no need to peel, but if you like). Put the root vegetables and water in a pan, heat and boil until the desired softness. Take it out into a colander and let it cool.
- When using vegetables such as green beans and broccoli: wash and drain. Cut into easy-to eat pieces. Boil hot water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Put the vegetables in boiling water, and boil until the desired softness. Take it out into a colander and let it cool.
- Make sesame sauce while cooling the vegetables. Place sesame seeds in a small food processor or chopper, and grind with pulse mode until a little grains remain or desired grinding.
- Put sesame seeds in a bowl, add soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil if you like, and mix.
- Add vegetables and mix well.
Notes
It’s easy and healthy, so please try it. If you like to try other vegetable side dishes, click the links below.
Thanks you for reading and Bon Appetit!
