Mom's Spinach Salad

You can make this "wilted" or not, however you prefer. Optional additions include chopped tomatoes, green onions, sliced mushrooms, or cooked bacon bits.

Thanks, Mom.

1 1/2 - 2 T. sesame seeds

1 T. rice wine vinegar

1/2 t. sugar

2 t. soy sauce

1 T. sesame oil

3 large cloves garlic, minced

spinach (I use a 6 or 9 oz. bag prewashed, because I hate washing it)

Put seeds in large pan over medium-high heat. Shake pan often until seeds are lightly browned (5 minutes or so). Pour from pan and set aside.

Mix vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce; set aside.

In pan over medium heat, combine sesame oil and garlic. Saute until golden (about 4 minutes or less -- do not scorch! warns Mom). If you want your spinach wilted, add it here and stir over high heat until it's just wilted -- "the way you prefer." If you don't want it wilted, pour the garlic mixture into a large bowl, then add the raw spinach and stir it up good. Transfer spinach onto plates, sprinkle with sesame seeds (and any of the optional tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.), and drizzle with the vinegar-soy mixture. Yum.

Anyone else have good salad ideas?