Chinese Kale with Sesame Dressing [Simple Japanese Home Cooking]

Goma-dare (胡麻ダレ) is one of the popular Japanese style sauces/dressings. It is very versatile, can be used in many dishes such as sashimi, salad, shabu-shabu (hot pot) and noodles. Every family has their own homemade goma-dare recipe and the amount of ingredients used are depending on individuals taste buds as well as the dishes they are going to serve. Some sweet, some sour and other with hint of spicy.

I like to use this sauce for tomato and cabbage salad and some blanched vegetables such as spinach and Chinese Kale Flowers(芥兰花). As a Chinese, I added few drops of sesame oil for extra aroma since it was readily available.

Ingredients (makes about half cup):
15 g White Sesame seeds (Goma)
3-4 tbsp Dashi Stock
1 tsp Mirin
1 tbsp Sugar
1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce (Chinese type)
1-2 tsp Rice Vinegar
Few drops sesame oil (optional)

Methods:

1. Toast sesame seed in a non-stick pan until golden brown.
2. Mash and grind toasted sesame seeds until pretty fine. I used a spice grinder.
3. Add in all other ingredients and mix well. Ready to use.
   

Cook's notes:

1. This is sour version, so I did not use sake. For non-sour type, replace vinegar with sake.
2. Some grated daikon (white radish) may be added if desired.