Sesame seeds are incredibly versatile and can enhance a wide variety of dishes. Their nutty flavor and pleasing texture make them a welcome addition to both sweet and savory preparations.
Adding Sesame Seeds to Your Cuisine
Here are some ideas on where to incorporate sesame seeds, categorized for easy browsing:
On Top of Dishes:
- Sprinkle on finished dishes: Add a finishing touch to stir-fries, salads, cold noodles, and even ramen for extra texture and flavor. The Reddit post regarding ramen demonstrates this perfectly.
- Garnish: Use as a garnish on various dishes to add visual appeal and a subtle nutty taste.
Into Dishes:
- Ground into powders: Grind sesame seeds into a fine powder and incorporate them into hot cereals like oatmeal for an added nutritional boost.
- Incorporated into sauces and dressings: Add them to salad dressings or marinades to enrich the flavor and add texture. A homemade teriyaki sauce, for example, benefits from the addition of sesame seeds.
- Baked into bread: Sesame seeds are a classic topping for hamburger buns and other breads.
Other Uses:
- Homemade Hummus: Sesame seeds can be used to make hummus, even without tahini, as evidenced by numerous online recipes. They add a unique nutty flavor and texture.
- Gomasio: Sesame seeds are a key ingredient in gomasio, a Japanese seasoning blend of toasted sesame seeds and salt.
- Chutneys: Adding sesame seeds to chutneys provides a nutty counterpoint to the other flavors.
Remember to toast sesame seeds before grinding or using them in recipes where their flavor will be prominent. Toasting enhances their nutty aroma and flavor.
