sesame sauce, oil and wheat vegetables

How to Make Sesame Spinach: A Simple Guide

Sesame spinach, or "ma jiang you mai cai" in Chinese, is a healthy, flavorful dish loved for its crisp texture and nutty sauce. Here’s an easy guide to making it at home.

Ingredients: 500g fresh spinach, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds, and a pinch of chili flakes (optional).

Steps:

1. Prepare the spinach: Trim the roots, wash thoroughly, and blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Immediately transfer to ice water to retain its crispness, then squeeze out excess water and chop into 5cm segments.

2. Make the sauce: In a bowl, mix minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and vinegar until the sugar dissolves. Adjust flavors to taste—sweeter or tangier as preferred.

3. Combine: Toss the spinach with the sauce, ensuring every leaf is coated. Top with roasted sesame seeds and chili flakes for extra aroma and a hint of spice.

4. Serve: Enjoy immediately as a side dish or with rice.

Tips: For a richer flavor, toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden. You can also add a dash of peanut butter for creaminess. This versatile dish is ready in under 15 minutes and packed with nutrients!