•Steam 1½ large bunches of spinach in a little salted water until limp but still bright green. Cut into 3 to 4 cm lengths.

•Mix in a small bowl 4 or 5 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons ground roasted sesame seeds,* and a little Japanese broth or sake.
Combine lightly with chop sticks.

“Goma Ae” may be prepared with other vegetables too, such as steamed carrots or green.beans, or with slivers of cooked chicken.

Ground roasted sesame is available by the packet in Japanese stores (store in the refrigerator once opened), or may be made at home by roasting seeds in a dry skillet and grinding them in a mortar and pestle.