Green Beans with Sesame Seeds (Japan)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Lb. Green Beans, washed & trimmed - Produce
• 4 Cups Boiling Water
• 2 Tsp. Salt - Aisle 2

Sesame Seeds:

• 4 Tbsp. Black Sesame Seeds - Bulk Aisle 5 or Aisle 2
• 2 Tbsp. White Sugar - Aisle 2
• 1 Tbsp. San-J Light Color Soy Sauce - Aisle 3

In a saucepan, boil 4 Cups of water with 2 tsp. salt, add beans and cook over high heat until done.  Rinse beans under cold running water to retain color and crispness.  Drain and cut beans into 2 or 3 diagonal pieces.  Set aside. In skillet, toast the sesame seeds over moderate heat.

Grind seeds using mortar and pestle or a small coffee grinder.  Grinding seeds gives delightful aroma.  Add sugar and soy sauce and mix well using rubber spatula. 

Add beans and toss lightly.  Serve in 4 small bowls.

Source: Quick & Easy Japanese Cuisine for Everyone by Yukiko Moriyama