Chrysanthemum Leaves Goma-ae (Sweet Sesame Dressing)

Method11 steps · about 10 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Strip the leaves from any thick, hard sections of stem. Discard those tough stem sections, keeping the leaves and tender stems.

   Uses 300 g edible chrysanthemum greens (shungiku)

2. 2

   Step 2: Bring plenty of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 pinch salt, then the trimmed chrysanthemum greens.

   Uses Water for blanching · 1 pinch salt · Trimmed chrysanthemum greens

3. 3

   Step 3: Once the water returns to a boil, cook the greens for 15 seconds. Remove from the heat and drain, using a lid or tongs to hold the greens back.

   Blanch chrysanthemum greens · 1 minUses Greens in salted boiling water

4. 4

   Step 4: Rinse the blanched greens under fresh cold running water, loosening them as they cool quickly.

   Uses Drained blanched greens · Fresh cold water for rinsing

5. 5

   Step 5: Squeeze out as much water as you can and put the cooled greens on a cutting board, working in batches if needed.

   Uses Cooled and rinsed greens

6. 6

   Step 6: Align the stems and cut the squeezed greens into lengths of about 4 cm / 1½ inches.

   Uses Squeezed greens

7. 7

   Step 7: Squeeze each handful of cut greens once more to remove residual water, then place them in a bowl.

   Uses Cut greens

8. 8

   Step 8: Grind the 3 tbsp roasted white sesame seeds in a mortar with a pestle until most seeds are crushed. Grind more finely if you prefer a smooth dressing.

   Uses 3 tbsp roasted white sesame seeds

9. 9

   Step 9: Mix the sugar (1 tbsp), soy sauce (1 tbsp) and mirin (1 tsp) into the ground sesame until evenly combined.

   Uses Ground roasted sesame · 1 tbsp sugar · 1 tbsp soy sauce · 1 tsp mirin

10. 10

    Step 10: Add the sweet sesame dressing to the bowl of prepared greens and mix until the greens are thoroughly coated.

    Uses Cut, well-drained chrysanthemum greens · Sweet sesame dressing

11. 11

    Step 11: Serve as a shared side dish or divide between two bowls. Sprinkle with the optional extra roasted white sesame seeds.

    Uses Chrysanthemum greens with sweet sesame dressing · Roasted white sesame seeds, for optional garnish