Using Roasted Sesame Seeds in Cooking - How to Roast Sesame Seeds?
Sesame Seeds - Nutrition, Color, Flavor, Uses
Sesame seeds come in different colors (tan, black, brown, reddish, off-white, gold, gray) but the most common ones used in cooking are off-white and black.
Sesame seeds have the highest oil content of any seed, are a great source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, and are rich in protein.
Plain sesame seeds are flavorless. Once they are roasted that's when their rich, nutty flavor comes through.
Roasted sesame seeds (also known as toasted seeds) are widely used in cooking to enhance the flavor of soups, salads, stir fry, meat, fish, baked goods, and other dishes.
Below are instructions on how to roast sesame seeds.
Ingredients
- Sesame Seeds
- Salt (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot place sesame seeds (not roasted) inside so that they cover the bottom of the skillet.
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds with salt (optional). Turn over with a spatula until they are golden brown. They should cook for a few minutes. Keeping them on the skillet too long will cause them to burn and become dark brown.
- For even roasting of sesame seeds put only enough sesame seeds to cover the bottom of the skillet. Putting too much sesame seeds into the skillet will leave many seeds their original color. If this happens do not worry. You will still get the full flavor of sesame seeds since they will be mixed with the golden brown ones.
- If you have a lot of sesame seeds to roast you can do them in batches. Just repeat all the steps above.
- Once the seeds are roasted let them cool off and then place in a jar or container and store them on the shelf with the spices. You can use them in your cooking to enhance the flavor of the dishes... They are great with anything you make.
How to Use Roasted Sesame Seeds in Cooking
Roasted sesame seeds are usually added toward the end of a dish's cooking time. They can also be sprinkled on a dish after it's been prepared already. You can use roasted sesame seeds pretty much with any dish you can think of. They will enhance the flavor of the dish and also make it look nicer presentation-wise if used simply as a garnish. Sprinkle a little or sprinkle a lot. Either way you can't go wrong.
Roasted sesame seeds are a favorite of my mine and I use them frequently in my dishes. I don't buy roasted sesame seeds. I just buy the plain ones sold in a Chinese store and then roast them myself the way I've described above. I love the aroma that fills the kitchen when the sesame seeds are being roasted in the skillet. That's one of the reasons I prefer roasting my own sesame seeds rather than buying from the store those that already are.
© 2012 Lena Kovadlo
