Spinach with Sesame and Garlic
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We found a recipe for a Korean version of spinach in Mark Bittman's The Best Recipes in the World, and had to give it a try. It was a little garlicky for my taste (yes, I know it is a Korean dish), next time I'll cut down a bit, but I loved the sesame.
Spinach with Sesame and Garlic Recipe
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Ingredients
3 Tbsp dark sesame oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 lb fresh spinach, large stems removed, roughly chopped
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
Salt to taste
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds*
Method
Put 2 Tbsp of the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat; a minute later add the garlic. As soon as the garlic begins to sizzle, add the spinach and cook, stirring occassionally, until it is completely wilted. Turn heat to low.
Stir in the sugar and soy sauce and cook for a few more moments. Turn off the heat; add salt to taste. Serve hot, warm, room temperature, or cold, drizzled with the remaining sesame oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
* To toast sesame seeds, heat a stick-free skillet on medium high. Add raw sesame seeds and use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir. The seeds will make a popping noise and jump up, almost like popcorn. They will toast very quickly, so stir constantly until they begin to brown and smell like they are toasted. Remove from pan into a separate bowl as soon as they are done.
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My grandmother's version of this recipe uses the same ingredients but instead of sauteing everything together, she blanches the spinach until just wilted, squeezes out the excess water, then mixes in the seasonings (along with a little hot red pepper powder) and always serves it cold. It's one of my favorites and probably the first Korean dish I ever made myself.