Broccoli Aemono (Dressed Side Dish)

Posted October 20th, 2010 in Food No Comments »

When you want something to add to your main meal when you are having Japanese food, this broccoli aemono is an option. Aemono simply means “mixed with seasoning”, and it is usually served as a side dish.

This is simply dressed with bonito flakes and soy sauce. You can of course use other vegetables, such as spinach, green beans, bean shoots, and okura.

<Broccoli Aemono> serves 4 as a side

8~10 florets broccoli
2 tsp soy sauce
5g katsuobushi (bonito flakes)
1 tbs roasted white sesame seeds

Trim stems from the broccoli. Cut the florets into small uniform pieces.
Bring a medium saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice and water.
Blanch the broccoli florets for 30 seconds, or until just tender but still crunchy. Quickly transfer to the ice water to refresh. Once they are cooled, remove from the water and drain well.
Place broccoli in a bowl and add soy sauce, bonito flakes and sesame seeds. Mix through.
Evenly divide the dressed broccoli into 4 small plates.