Steamed Vegetables with Sesame Dressing

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables
   Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets, slice carrots into thin strips, trim snow peas, slice bell pepper into thin strips, and cut zucchini into half-moon shapes.
2. Steam the vegetables
   Fill a pot with about 1 inch of water and bring to a boil. Place vegetables in a steamer basket over the boiling water, cover, and steam for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp but still vibrant in color. Start with harder vegetables (carrots, broccoli) and add softer ones (bell pepper, snow peas, zucchini) halfway through.
3. Prepare the sesame dressing
   While vegetables are steaming, toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Grind 2 tablespoons of the toasted seeds in a mortar and pestle or food processor, leaving 1 tablespoon whole for garnish. In a small bowl, combine ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk until well combined.
4. Cool the vegetables
   Once steamed, immediately transfer vegetables to a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
5. Combine and serve
   Place vegetables in a large serving bowl. Pour the sesame dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining whole toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.