Sesame Seed
Sesame seeds add nutty flavor and texture to various dishes.
Flavor profile
Aroma: nutty, toasty
Good to know
Origin: Africa
Forms: white, black, toasted, oil, tahini
Storage: Store in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.
How to use sesame seed
Crunchy Topping
Sesame seeds add crunch to breads; toasting their lignans creates nutty aromas.
Tahini Time
Grinding seeds allows oils to emulsify into tahini's creamy texture.
What goes with sesame seed
- Soy Sauce. Soy sauce brings umami and highlights sesame's nuttiness.
- Honey. Honey's sweetness softens sesame's slight bitterness.
- Scallion. Scallion's sulfur compounds contrast sesame's mild nuttiness.
- Ginger. Ginger's sharpness contrasts with sesame's richness.
- Asparagus. Toasted sesame adds nutty crunch to steamed or blanched asparagus.
- Kale. Nutty sesame softens kale's bitterness in salads.
- Miso. Nutty sesame softens miso's salty fermented edge.
- Pumpkin. Toasted sesame adds nutty crunch over sweet roasted pumpkin.
- Quinoa. Sesame seeds echo quinoa's nutty flavor and add crunch.
- Radish. Sesame seeds add nutty crunch to radish's peppery bite.
Mistakes to avoid
- Untoasted seeds miss out on Maillard flavor complexity.
- Bitterness comes from over-toasting or stale seeds.
Ideas for tonight
- Enhance stir fry with sesame seeds.
- Mix tahini into a salad dressing.
- Top a bagel with sesame seeds.
Sesame Seed: questions
What does sesame seed taste like?
Sesame seeds add nutty flavor and texture to various dishes., with an aroma that is nutty, toasty.
What goes well with sesame seed?
Sesame Seed pairs best with soy sauce, honey, scallion, ginger, asparagus. Soy sauce brings umami and highlights sesame's nuttiness.
How do you use sesame seed in cooking?
Crunchy Topping: sesame seeds add crunch to breads; toasting their lignans creates nutty aromas.
How should you store sesame seed?
Store in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.
What is the most common mistake with sesame seed?
Untoasted seeds miss out on Maillard flavor complexity.
