Japanese Sesame Greens
This recipe offers a simple, healthy Japanese side dish featuring vibrant, steamed greens tossed in a savory-sweet sesame-soy dressing. It's quick to prepare, highlights the natural flavor of the vegetables, and makes an excellent accompaniment to any meal, providing a delightful nutty and umami-rich experience.
Equipment
- 1 Steamer or Pot with Steamer Basket For cooking vegetables crisp-tender
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl For preparing the dressing
- 1 Measuring Spoons For accurate ingredient measurement
- 1 Small Whisk For emulsifying the dressing
- 1 Serving dish For presentation
Ingredients
Main
- 1/4 cup steamed vegetables green beans, broccoli, 1 ounce (or 30 grams of toasted sesame seeds (white or black)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Wash and trim the green beans or broccoli, ensuring they are ready for steaming.
- Set up a steamer or a pot with a steamer basket and bring water to a boil.
- Steam the vegetables until they are crisp-tender and vibrant green, typically 3-5 minutes depending on the vegetable. Remove promptly to prevent overcooking.
- While vegetables steam, toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, if not already toasted. Let cool.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine soy sauce and sugar. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds to the dressing. For a deeper flavor, lightly crush about half of the sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle before adding.
- Once steamed, transfer the vegetables to a bowl. If serving chilled, briefly plunge them into an ice bath, then drain very well.
- Pour the prepared sesame-soy dressing over the steamed vegetables.
- Gently toss the greens to ensure they are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve immediately as a warm side dish, or chill for a refreshing cold salad.
Notes
Achieving perfectly crisp-tender greens is paramount; steam briefly until vibrant, then plunge into an ice bath if not serving immediately to halt cooking and preserve color. For maximum aromatic impact, always freshly toast your sesame seeds until fragrant before use, even if they're labeled 'toasted'. Crushing about half the seeds in a mortar and pestle releases their oils, intensifying the nutty flavor and creating a more unctuous dressing. The soy-sugar dressing provides a classic sweet-savory balance; consider adding a tiny dash of rice vinegar for brightness or a drop of quality sesame oil for added depth. Adjust sweetness to your preference. This versatile technique works with various blanched or steamed vegetables like spinach, asparagus, or even kale.