Healthy Japanese Spinach Salad Recipe: Ohitashi Horenso

A traditional Japanese meal consists of rice, fish or meat, soup and then side dishes called okazu. These delicious okazus take little time to prepare once you have the basic ingredients. I find this recipe a great way to use leftover vegetables in the fridge. One of my favourite toppings for this side dish is sesame seeds but I also love garlic and ginger fried in sesame oil. I'd love if you'd share your favourite topping with me once you've tried this recipe!

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 1 minute

Ingredients:
Bunch of fresh spinach, washed 
Salt (pinch of salt)
Soya sauce
Sesame seeds (optional for topping)
Bonito flakes (optional for topping)

Instructions:

1. Blanch the spinach in salted boiling water for less than 1 minute.

2. Remove from the water and drain in a colander. Use your hands to gently squeeze any excess water.

3. Place the spinach leaves in a serving bowl as they are, or alternatively shape the leaves with your hands into a roll and cut as shown in the picture above.

 

4. Lightly drizzle soya sauce over the spinach.

5. Sprinkle sesame seeds or bonito flakes over the spinach.

How to serve:

Goes really well as a side dish with boiled rice.

Tips:
- Depending on the type of spinach it may take less or more time to cook.

- To make perfectly rolled spinach rolls use a sushi mat to form a nice firm spinach roll.

Why not:

Finely chop garlic or ginger, fry with sesame oil and use as the topping.