Ultimate Sesame Spinach Food

SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to the boil and fill a large bowl with cold water and a handful of ice. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the sesame oil, soy sauce, sesame seeds, vinegar, sugar, garlic and pepper to taste, until the sugar has dissolved. Set the dressing aside.
• Blanch the spinach in the boiling water until just wilted, then scoop straight into the cold water. Drain well and squeeze out any excess water. Gently loosen the clumps of spinach with your fingers, transfer to the bowl of sesame dressing and toss together. Cover and chill for about 1 hr to let the flavours mingle.

SESAME WHITE PIZZA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Make Sheet-Pan Pizza Dough; transfer to the oiled pan as directed in step 3, then shape into an oval and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, patting to adhere. Flip the dough, cover and let rise as directed, then stretch. During the final rise, put a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 500˚ for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the spinach: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook, tossing with tongs, until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates and the garlic is just golden, about 3 minutes. Remove the spinach to a cutting board and chop.
• Make the ricotta mixture: Combine the ricotta, pecorino, oregano and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame seeds around the edge of the dough to create a 1/4-inch border, pressing to adhere. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the dough up to the sesame border. Top with the spinach, then top with spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons each) of the ricotta mixture.
• Put the baking sheet directly on the hot stone and bake until the crust is browned around the edges and the cheese is golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Loosen the edges of the pizza with an offset spatula, then loosen the bottom. Slide the pizza onto a cutting board; cut into squares.

SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Bring pot of lightly salted water to boil.
• Add spinach, remove as soon as leaves turn bright green (will shrink significantly).
• Immediately rinse with cold water.
• Drain and squeeze out as much water as possible (best to grab handful and squeeze like a ball) Place spinach in bowl with sauce mixture and toss well.

COLD SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Prepare an icewater bath. Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the spinach and blanch quickly, 15 to 20 seconds. Drain and plunge into the icewater bath. Drain the spinach well and chop coarsely. Place in a medium serving bowl. Whisk together the sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, chili paste, ginger and sugar. Pour the mixture over the spinach and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds. Serve at room temperature or cold.

COLD SPINACH WITH SESAME

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts and the stems become tender, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Remove it with a strainer or slotted spoon and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water. When it has cooled off, squeeze the excess water from it and finely chop it.
• Sprinkle the spinach with a little salt and the soy sauce and shape it into a 1-inch-thick log (or press the spinach into small balls or mounds). Cut the log into 1-inch slices. Dip each end of each slice into the sesame seeds and arrange on a plate. Drizzle with the sesame oil. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

COLD SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Wash spinach well, discarding any course stems, and drain in colander. In a 3- to 4- quart saucepan bring water to a boil. Add spinach and steam covered, 2 minutes. Drain spinach in colander, gently pressing out most of liquid. In a bowl toss spinach with oil, soy sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Chill spinach, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
• While spinach is chilling, in a dry small heavy skillet (not non-stick) toast sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Toss spinach with sesame seeds and vinegar.

ULTIMATE SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Put the spinach in a large, dry frying pan over medium heat. Cover and cook until the spinach is completely wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and squeeze out any excess moisture. Chop the spinach coarsely.
• Put the sesame seeds in a small, dry frying pan and toast over medium heat until light brown and fragrant, shaking the pan frequently, 3-5 minutes. Cool and grind the seeds to a powder in a clean coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.
• Combine the soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and dashi and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the sesame powder and stir until well blended. Pour dressing over spinach.