Lightly Seasoned Spinach Side Dish with Garlic and Sesame

Thoroughly wash the fresh spinach under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. Trim off any tough stems.

Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Carefully add the spinach and blanch for 30-45 seconds, just until it wilts and turns bright green.

Immediately drain the spinach and transfer it to a bowl of ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps retain its vibrant color and crisp texture.

Once cooled, gather the spinach into small bundles and firmly squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This is crucial for preventing a watery side dish.

Finely mince the garlic cloves. In a mixing bowl, combine the squeezed spinach with the minced garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and half of the toasted sesame seeds.

Gently massage the seasoning into the spinach with your hands until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.

Transfer the seasoned spinach to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately or chilled as a banchan.