Name: Cold tofu and spinach salad
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 300g baby spinach leaves; 4 tbsp toasted sesame seeds; 1 tbsp castor sugar; 2½ tbsp soy sauce; 300g packet of silken firm tofu; 1cm piece peeled ginger; ½ sheet roasted seaweed (nori),cut into thin strips; 2 spring onions,finely sliced

Umami:Cold tofu and spinach salad.William Meppem

easyTime:<30 minsServes:4

Try this delectable Japanese salad and remind yourself of the wonders of umami! If you're after a full meal,you could top up this salad with seafood or cold poached chicken (more of a one-pot meal - just add rice). Or put the salad on top of rice to make it a donburi-style dish.

Ingredients

300g baby spinach leaves
4 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1 tbsp castor sugar
2½ tbsp soy sauce
300g packet of silken firm tofu
1cm piece peeled ginger
½ sheet roasted seaweed (nori),cut into thin strips
2 spring onions,finely sliced

Method

Step1
Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 1 minute then refresh in cold water. Drain very well.

2. Using a mortar and pestle,grind 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Add sugar and continue to grind until a paste starts to form. Mix through 2 tbsp soy sauce and check the seasoning.

3. Dress spinach with the sesame and soy sauce and arrange across the bottom of a shared serving dish.

4. Gently remove the tofu from its packet. For perfect presentation,trim the edges carefully before cutting into four slices. Place the tofu slices on top of the spinach.
Step2
Using a microplane,grate ginger evenly over the tofu and splash over the remaining soy sauce. Garnish with the shredded nori,spring onions and remaining toasted sesame seeds.