Goma-ae with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (300g) broccoli florets 2 cups (300g) broccoli florets
• 1 cup (150g) carrots, julienned 1 cup (150g) carrots, julienned
• 1 cup (150g) bell peppers, thinly sliced 1 cup (150g) bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (120g) sesame seeds 1/2 cup (120g) sesame seeds
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine) 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Optional: sesame seeds for garnish Optional: sesame seeds for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 14g, 5g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for 2 minutes. Remove from the boiling water and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a dry skillet, toast the sesame seeds over medium heat until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. 3.
   Grind the toasted sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder until finely ground.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
5. 5.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, julienned carrots, and sliced bell peppers. Pour the sesame sauce over the vegetables and toss gently until well coated.
6. 6.
   Transfer the Goma-ae to a serving dish and garnish with additional sesame seeds, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sesame seeds — Toasting the sesame seeds before grinding them enhances their flavor. Be careful not to burn them, as it can give a bitter taste to the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a nuttier flavor, you can use a combination of white and black sesame seeds.
• Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more or less sugar according to your taste preference.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as snap peas or thinly sliced cucumber for added freshness and crunch.
• Serve the Goma-ae chilled for a refreshing summer dish.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Goma-ae as a side dish alongside steamed rice and miso soup for a complete Japanese meal. It can also be enjoyed as a topping for sushi rolls or as a filling for onigiri (rice balls).

Presentation advice

Arrange the blanched vegetables on a platter and drizzle the sesame sauce over them. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an added visual appeal. Serve in traditional Japanese ceramic dishes for an authentic touch.