Fast or Fancy

Broccoli with Sesame Dressing (Broccoli Goma-ae)

Prep: 10m

Cook: 5m

Servings: 2

Goma-ae literally means “sesame seed dressing,” which is a common dressing for Japanese vegetable sides, and can be made in just a few minutes. In Japan you’ll often see this on spinach, but can be added to just about every green vegetable.

—Ingredients—

Fast

  • 250g broccoli florets, or other green vegetable
  • 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp water

—Method—

  1. Prepare the broccoli: blanch (about 2-3 minutes) or steam (about 4-6 minutes).
  2. (Optional) Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium-high heat, shaking or stirring constantly, until they begin to color. Careful – don’t wait too long to take them off; they will continue to cook with residual heat. Just a minute or two is adequate.
  3. While waiting on the broccoli, roughly grind the sesame seeds. There will be some finely ground powder, but it should have plenty of larger pieces. This is easiest (and most satisfying) using a mortar and pestle. If using a spice grinder, pulse slowly to avoid grinding too small.
  4. Mix in the sugar, soy sauce, and water.
  5. Toss with the broccoli.

—Notes—

  • Can also try on spinach, broccolini, green beans, asparagus, or virtually any blanched or steamed green vegetable.
  • While not strictly necessary, toasting the sesame seeds for a minute or two (even store-bought “toasted” seeds) significantly enhances the flavor.

—Serving Ideas—

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