SPINACH with SESAME and GARLIC

Spinach with Sesame and Garlic
Serves 2 to 4

3 tablespoons dark sesame oil
1 tablespoons minced garlic
1 lb fresh spinach, soaked in water to clean, drained, excess water squeezed out, large stems removed and discarded, leaves roughly chopped
1 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoons soy sauce
Salt to taste
1 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Toast the sesame seeds first. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high. Add raw sesame seeds and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon. The seeds may make a popping noise and jump up, almost like popcorn. They will toast very quickly, so stir constantly until they begin to brown with a very nice toasty aroma. When they are done remove from heat into a separate bowl.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic. As soon as the garlic begins to sizzle, add the spinach and cook, stirring occassionally, until the spinach is completely wilted. Turn the heat to low.

Stir in the sugar and soy sauce. Remove from the heat. Add salt to taste. Serve hot, warm, room temperature, or cold, drizzled with the remaining sesame oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds.


Note: This can be made gluten free by using gluten free soy sauce.