Seared Flounder with Sesame Spinach

A quick, but elegant, dinner. The fish is delightfully crunchy, and the sesame really brightens up the spinach. Sesame seeds give depth of flavor and add calcium. Sesame seeds are one of the best sources of calcium.  I sprinkle a light topping of Goma Ae, a wonderful sesame seeds condiment (recipe below).

Serving Size : 4

2 teaspoons butter

4 whole garlic clove — finely chopped

4 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger

4 bunches flat-leaf spinach — trimmed, coarsely chopped

4 Tablespoons toasted sesame oil

4 Tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

8 teaspoons Bragg’s amino acids or (better) Coco9nut Aminos

4 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Kosher salt

2 pounds flounder fillets

1 cup rice flour

1) Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

2) Add spinach and sesame oil and toss to coat. Cook, tossing occasionally, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.

3) Add vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame seeds; season with salt and pepper and gently toss to combine. Set aside.

4) Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. sesame oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Season fish with salt and pepper and dredge in flour ,cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Serve flounder with spinach.

Goma Ae Condiment Recipe;

Sesame seeds add a nutty taste and a delicate crunch any greens dish, but is also great on fish. 

Toast the sesame seeds in a frying pan just for a few minutes (no oil needed).   This simple step brings out the wonderful aroma of sesame seeds and toasty flavors.

Once the sesame seeds are nicely toasted, grind them in a Japanese mortar and pestle. You will be immediately surrounded by the fragrant roasted sesame smell!  You can use a food processor but buzz in bursts and be very careful to not over process, you’ll have tahini!   Then add coarse salt to taste.  I use 2 cups of sesame seeds with about 1 1/2 Tablespoons of salt. Start slow and add, tasting.

Japanese grocery stores sell convenient crushed/ground sesame seeds in packaged, but the fragrance and flavors won’t be the same.

I use my Suribachi to grind the seeds. It’s great for making Thai chili pastes from scratch also!