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Sesame seeds offer a subtle crunch and a hint of nutty flavor to a wide array of dishes, spanning from dressings to desserts. They are rich in healthy oils and minerals, making them both tasty and nutritious! Whether used whole as a topping or ingredient, mashed into a paste, or utilized as sesame oil or sesame flour.
Ingredients
Tahini Paste
- 1 cup (approximately 150 grams) sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt, to taste (optional)
Sesame Seed Dressing
Adjust amounts according to preference
- Rice vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Minced garlic
- Sesame seeds
Sesame Seed Milk
- 1 cup (approx. 150 grams) sesame seeds
- 2 cups (470 milliliters) water
Steps
Enjoying Whole Sesame Seeds
Toast raw sesame seeds to enhance their nutty aroma and flavor. While raw sesame seeds are perfectly fine, toasting them elevates their flavor profile effortlessly. You can purchase pre-toasted sesame seeds at your local grocery store or toast your own either in the oven or on the stovetop.
- To toast sesame seeds in the oven, evenly spread the raw seeds on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake them at 350 °F (177 °C) until lightly browned and fragrant, usually taking 5-15 minutes.
- To toast sesame seeds on the stovetop, spread them evenly in a large, ungreased skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until they turn light brown and emit a nutty aroma, typically 2-3 minutes.
- Constantly move the skillet to prevent burning.
- As the skillet heats, the seeds may pop. Consider using a mesh splatter screen to cover it.
- Keep toasted seeds in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator (for up to 6 months) or freezer (for up to 1 year). As long as they don’t smell rancid, they're still good to use.
Sprinkle seeds over your favorite vegetable and legume side dishes. Adding sesame seeds imparts a subtle, wholesome crunch to steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans, and an array of other sides. Simply sprinkle raw or toasted sesame seeds over these dishes just before serving to maintain their crispiness.
Add a nutty crunch to your salads with a pinch of sesame seeds. Prepare your preferred salad and dress it as usual. Just before serving, sprinkle sesame seeds on top to retain their crunchiness.
- Toasted sesame seeds offer a richer flavor, but raw seeds are also delightful atop salads.
Sprinkle sesame seeds atop or mix them into homemade baked goods. Adding sesame seeds to homemade baked goods not only enhances their appearance but also imparts a delicate nutty flavor. Before baking, lightly spray or brush the shaped dough with water, then sprinkle on the sesame seeds according to your recipe's instructions.
- Alternatively, consider incorporating sesame seeds directly into your bread or cookie dough. Although their texture may be subtle, they will contribute a gentle nuttiness to the final product.
Whip up a versatile dressing featuring sesame seeds. Combine equal parts rice wine vinegar and soy sauce in a mixing bowl, adjusting the proportions to your preference. Whisk in crushed garlic and toasted sesame seeds to taste. This dressing complements salads, steamed vegetables, and noodle dishes perfectly.
- Explore numerous other dressing recipes incorporating sesame seeds online.
Incorporate sesame seeds into Asian-inspired stir-fry dishes. Finish off your stir-fry with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds or add them during the final 1-2 minutes of cooking. For added flavor, try both methods!
- For instance, experiment with a stir-fry featuring chicken, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, your favorite vegetables, and sesame seeds.
Indulge in delectable sweet treats featuring sesame seeds, such as sesame brittle. Sesame seeds are a popular ingredient in many sweets, including cookies, candies, and pastries. Sesame brittle, in particular, is simple to make and incredibly satisfying:
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and honey in a 3:1 ratio (3 parts sugar to 1 part honey) over medium heat, stirring frequently until fully combined.
- Add sesame seeds in an amount equal to the sugar-honey mixture (e.g., 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey, and 1 cup sesame seeds) and continue stirring until the mixture reaches 300 °F (149 °C) on a candy thermometer.
- Transfer the mixture to a lined baking sheet and let it cool and harden for 15-20 minutes. Once set, break it into pieces and enjoy!
Utilizing Sesame Paste, Flour, or Oil
Incorporate a spoonful of seeds into your favorite smoothie recipe. The mild flavor of sesame seeds complements various fruit and vegetable combinations in smoothies. Due to their small size, the seeds blend easily in a blender, adding texture without grittiness to your smoothie.
- For added sweetness, consider using honey, which pairs wonderfully with sesame seeds.
Create homemade sesame milk using just seeds and water. Soak 1 cup (approximately 150 grams) of raw sesame seeds in 2 cups (470 milliliters) of water overnight in the refrigerator. Blend the mixture until smooth. For a smoother texture, strain the milk through cheesecloth, or use it as-is to retain fiber and nutrients.
- For optimal freshness, consume the milk on the same day it's made.
Prepare your own tahini for use in hummus and other recipes. Combine 1 cup (approximately 150 grams) of sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of mild olive oil in a blender or food processor. Blend for 2-3 minutes until a smooth paste forms. Add more oil for a thinner consistency, if desired. Season with salt to taste.
- Choose between raw or toasted sesame seeds for different flavor profiles.
- Experiment with alternative oils, such as a blend of vegetable and sesame oil.
- Store tahini in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Replace some of the wheat flour with sesame flour in recipes. Substitute 1/4 of the total flour amount with sesame flour without affecting the final outcome. The addition of sesame flour may introduce a subtle nutty flavor to the finished product.
- For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of all-purpose flour, use 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of sesame flour.
Incorporate sesame oil into various dishes, from stir-fries to salad dressings. With its high oil content and nutrient profile similar to sesame seeds, sesame oil adds a mild flavor suitable for a wide range of culinary applications. It also boasts a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-temperature cooking methods like stir-frying.
- Purchase sesame oil or try making your own!
- Lighter sesame oils are best for cooking, while darker varieties are ideal for dressings.
Helpful Tips
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To prolong the freshness of sesame seeds, store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Alternatively, keep them in a tightly-sealed container in a cool, dry, and dark location.
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When purchasing prepackaged sesame seeds, opt for the package with the furthest 'use by' date. For bulk sesame seed purchases, ensure the seeds have no scent or only a faint nutty aroma. If there's any hint of rancidity in the smell, avoid buying them!
Important Warnings
- While sesame seeds allergies are not as common, always inform guests before serving dishes containing sesame seeds or sesame-derived products.
