This is a fast and easy side dish.
Ingredients
Green beans, enough for 2-3 side servings
Salt
2-3 teaspoons of soy sauce (marudaizu if you can get it)
1 teaspoon of sugar or brown sugar
1 teaspoon of MSG
A handful of roasted sesame seeds
(optional) Big pinch of bonito flakes (tear into smaller pieces)
(optional) Pinch or dash of shichimi togarashi or nanami togarashi
(optional) 1 teaspoon of dark sesame oil
Instructions
It's better if you roast the sesame seeds yourself, but that takes time, so no shame if you buy sesame seeds that are already roasted. Turn the heat on a dry pan up to medium to medium-high heat, put the sesame seeds in it, and toss or flip frequently until you get a strong smell of sesame seeds. You will probably see wisps of smoke by then.
Put the sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle or food processor. Grind until some of it is powder, but you still have some big chunks remaining.
Bring a small pot of salt water to a boil. While you're waiting for it to boil, cut the stems off of the green beans and cut them in half. Put them in a large bowl while you're waiting for the water to boil. You'll use the large bowl again later. Cook the beans until they reach a texture that you like, probably three to ten minutes.
While the beans are boiling, combine all the remaining ingredients except the sesame seeds in a small bowl with a fork or a whisk. Beat until the sugar and MSG are dissolved.
Drain the green beans thoroughly. Toss thoroughly in the big bowl with the sauce and the sesame seeds.
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