Spinach with Sesame Miso Sauce

Some miso varieties are quite salty, but the Saikyo shiro miso called for in this sauce has a sweet, caramel-like taste.

Ingredients

4 (10-oz)	bunches spinach (preferably with root ends intact)
1 1/2 tbsp	Japanese sesame paste
1 1/2 tbsp	Saikyo shiro (white) miso
1 tbsp	water
1/8 tsp	soy sauce
1 tsp	sesame seeds, toasted
Special equipment:	kitchen string

Directions

1. Wash spinach well. Gather spinach, root ends together, into 4 equal bunches and tie each bunch tightly around middle of stems with string. Blanch spinach, 2 bunches at a time, in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until just wilted, 15 to 30 seconds, then transfer with tongs to a large bowl of cold water to cool. Drain spinach and squeeze excess water from each bunch, squeezing well several times. Cut off string and cut spinach crosswise into 1-inch strips, including first inch of stems. Discard tough stem ends. 2. Stir together sesame paste, miso, water, and soy sauce to form a smooth, thick sauce. 3. Toss spinach with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Makes 4 servings.

Source: http://www.epicurious.com