Lettuce in Sesame Sauce (Ma Jiang Xian Cai)
Ingredients
3/4 lb crisp lettuce leaves
5 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or dark tahini)
2 tsp sesame oil
a pinch of sugar
salt to taste
optional garnish: 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Directions
Clean the lettuce. If using lettuce hearts, quarter them lengthwise; small crisp leaves can be used whole. Arrange the lettuce pieces neatly on a serving plate.
Combine the sesame paste and oil in a small bowl and season with sugar and salt to taste. (The sauce should have a luxurious pouring consistency - it can be thinned if necessary with a little peanut or salad oil.) Pour over the lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using, and serve.