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Sesame Flavour: How to Use and Enjoy This Nutty and Versatile Seed
2023/5/5
Sesame seeds are small, oval seeds that come from the sesame plant, a flowering plant that belongs to the same family as sunflowers. Sesame seeds have a mild, sweet and nutty flavour that can be enhanced by toasting or roasting them. Sesame seeds are widely used in cuisines around the world, especially in Asia and the Middle East, where they add flavour, texture and nutrition to various dishes.
Sesame seeds come in different colours, such as white, black, brown and red, depending on the variety of the sesame plant and the degree of hulling. The hull is the outer layer of the seed that can be removed or left intact. Hulled sesame seeds are usually lighter in colour and have a softer texture than unhulled sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds are unhulled and have a more earthy and bitter flavour than white sesame seeds.
Sesame seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, minerals and antioxidants. They also contain lignans, which are phytochemicals that have hormone-like effects and may help lower cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. Sesame seeds are also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B1.
In this article, we will explore how to use sesame seeds to add flavour and crunch to your dishes, how to toast sesame seeds to bring out their nuttiness and aroma, and how to make sesame paste and oil from sesame seeds.
To toast sesame seeds in the oven:
To make sesame paste:
Sesame seeds can be used in many ways, such as sprinkling them over salads, soups, stir-fries, noodles, rice, and sushi; mixing them with bread crumbs or flour to coat chicken, fish, or tofu; adding them to cookie dough, cake batter, or muffin mix; making sesame candy, brittle, balls, or mochi; making halva, tahini, hummus, baba ganoush, sesame dressing, or sesame noodles.
Sesame paste and oil are two products that can be made from sesame seeds. Sesame paste is a thick and creamy paste that is used as an ingredient or a condiment in many dishes. Sesame oil is a light yellow oil that has a distinctive nutty flavour and aroma that is used for cooking or dressing.
Sesame seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain lignans, which are phytochemicals that have hormone-like effects and may help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation. Sesame seeds are also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B1.
Sesame seeds come in different colours, such as white, black, brown and red, depending on the variety of the sesame plant and the degree of hulling. The hull is the outer layer of the seed that can be removed or left intact. Hulled sesame seeds are usually lighter in colour and have a softer texture than unhulled sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds are unhulled and have a more earthy and bitter flavour than white sesame seeds.
Sesame seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, minerals and antioxidants. They also contain lignans, which are phytochemicals that have hormone-like effects and may help lower cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. Sesame seeds are also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B1.
In this article, we will explore how to use sesame seeds to add flavour and crunch to your dishes, how to toast sesame seeds to bring out their nuttiness and aroma, and how to make sesame paste and oil from sesame seeds.
How to Use Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds can be used in many ways to enhance the flavour and appearance of your dishes. Here are some examples of how to use sesame seeds:- Sprinkle them over salads, soups, stir-fries, noodles, rice and sushi for a crunchy garnish
- Mix them with bread crumbs or flour to coat chicken, fish or tofu before frying or baking
- Add them to cookie dough, cake batter or muffin mix for a nutty flavour and texture
- Make sesame candy or brittle by caramelizing sugar and honey with sesame seeds
- Make sesame balls or mochi by wrapping glutinous rice dough around a filling of black sesame paste
- Make halva or tahini by grinding roasted sesame seeds with sugar or honey
- Make hummus or baba ganoush by blending cooked chickpeas or eggplant with tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt
- Make sesame dressing by whisking tahini with water, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil
- Make sesame noodles by tossing cooked noodles with sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, peanut butter and chili sauce
How to Toast Sesame Seeds
Toasting sesame seeds is a simple way to enhance their flavour and aroma. Toasting also makes the sesame seeds more crunchy and easier to digest. There are two methods for toasting sesame seeds: in the oven or on the stovetop.To toast sesame seeds in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Spread a thin layer of sesame seeds on the prepared baking sheet
- Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until the sesame seeds are golden brown
- Let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container
To toast sesame seeds on the stovetop:
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat
- Add a single layer of sesame seeds and stir constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula
- Toast for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sesame seeds are golden brown and fragrant
- Transfer them to a plate and let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container
How to Make Sesame Paste and Oil
Sesame paste and oil are two products that can be made from sesame seeds. Sesame paste is a thick and creamy paste that is used as an ingredient or a condiment in many dishes. Sesame oil is a light yellow oil that has a distinctive nutty flavour and aroma that is used for cooking or dressing.To make sesame paste:
- Toast 1 cup of white or black sesame seeds in the oven or on the stovetop until golden brown
- Transfer them to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth
- Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of neutral oil (such as canola or sunflower oil) gradually while blending until you reach your desired consistency
- Season with salt if needed and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month
To make sesame oil:
- Toast 2 cups of white or black sesame seeds in the oven or on the stovetop until golden brown
- Transfer them to a blender or food processor and blend until finely ground
- Transfer the ground sesame seeds to a cheesecloth-lined strainer over a bowl
- Squeeze out as much oil as possible from the cheesecloth
- Store the oil in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to six months
Bottom Line
Sesame seeds are versatile seeds that have a mild, sweet, and nutty flavour that can be enhanced by toasting or roasting them. Sesame seeds are widely used in cuisines around the world, especially in Asia and the Middle East, where they add flavour, texture, and nutrition to various dishes.Sesame seeds can be used in many ways, such as sprinkling them over salads, soups, stir-fries, noodles, rice, and sushi; mixing them with bread crumbs or flour to coat chicken, fish, or tofu; adding them to cookie dough, cake batter, or muffin mix; making sesame candy, brittle, balls, or mochi; making halva, tahini, hummus, baba ganoush, sesame dressing, or sesame noodles.
Sesame paste and oil are two products that can be made from sesame seeds. Sesame paste is a thick and creamy paste that is used as an ingredient or a condiment in many dishes. Sesame oil is a light yellow oil that has a distinctive nutty flavour and aroma that is used for cooking or dressing.
Sesame seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain lignans, which are phytochemicals that have hormone-like effects and may help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation. Sesame seeds are also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B1.
