Mom’s Homemade Sesame-Kissed Spinach Salad
Authentic Home Cooking: Nostalgic Seasoned Spinach Recipe
A comforting and delicious seasoned spinach dish that often graces the table during winter! This simple yet essential side dish is perfect for a healthy winter meal. We’re revealing the secret to recreating the signature nutty and subtly sweet flavor of spinach seasoned just like your mom used to make. Make this healthy and delightful spinach dish that the whole family will love, right now!
Main Ingredients- 1 bunch fresh spinach
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil for nutty flavor
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the fresh spinach. If there’s dirt on the roots, gently scrape off the dirty parts with a knife, or trim off just the very tips of the roots. While eating the roots provides more nutrients, it can be cumbersome to prepare, so trimming them cleanly is also perfectly fine.
Step 2
Cut the spinach into 2-3 pieces, making them easy to eat. Remove any wilted leaves or blemishes. Wash the spinach several times under running water to thoroughly remove any soil or debris. It’s especially important to rinse well around the roots to ensure no dirt remains.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, ensuring there’s enough water to fully submerge the spinach. Add a pinch of salt to help preserve the spinach’s vibrant green color, and then add the washed spinach to the boiling water.
Step 4
Overcooking spinach can make it mushy and diminish its texture and nutrients. Blanch the spinach for a short time, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, in the boiling water. Immediately transfer it to an ice-cold water bath and rinse multiple times. This shock in cold water helps maintain its crisp texture. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible with both hands. Thoroughly draining the water is key to preventing the dish from becoming watery when stored in the refrigerator.
Step 5
Place the well-drained spinach in a bowl and add the seasonings. For this recipe, we’re adding 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce), 1 tablespoon of fragrant sesame oil, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. Some people prefer to omit the garlic to highlight the natural taste of the spinach, so feel free to adjust or skip it according to your preference.
Step 6
Gently toss and mix the spinach with your fingertips to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. Be careful not to mash the spinach by squeezing too hard, as this can make it mushy; the key is to mix it gently. Taste the seasoned spinach and add a little salt if needed to adjust the flavor. This seasoned spinach is delicious as a standalone side dish, and it also makes a wonderful addition to bibimbap!
