Shitashi
Serves:
Ingredients:
1/2
lb
Fresh spinach, stems
Removed
4
tb
Basic soup stock
1
ts
Soy sauce
1/4
ts
Sake
1/4
ts
Salt
1/2
ts
Sugar
1
ts
Toasted white sesame
Seeds
Method:
A Zensai or Japanese style hors d'oeuvre.
1.
Parboil spinach leaves.
Cool in running water, squeezing gently to dry.
2.
Combine all remaining ingredients except sesame seeds.
Add spinach and marinate for 2 hours.
3.
Drain spinach and wrap leaves in twelve small oval shapes.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve cold.
Zensai, or Japanese-style hors d'oeuvres, are served upon a lacquer plate if possible.
The Tea Ceremony dinner usually includes at least three, one from each sphere of life: fish from the sea, fowl from the air, and vegetables from the land.
These delicate cold appetizers may be prepared in greater quantities to be served as party hors d'oeuvres, Western style.