Sesame Seeds are also known as til, tal or gingelly seeds. Sesame seeds are tiny, flat oval seeds having a nutty taste and a delicate crunch. In the market Sesame seeds of different colors of white, yellow, black and red are available. Most of the Asian dishes are highly flavored with sesame seeds, it is considered as a main ingredient in tahini and the most famous Middle Eastern sweet dish called as ‘halwa’.
Sesame seeds are easily available in number of branded packets. They may be available in bulk containers as well, while buying from bulk, always make sure that the bins containing the sesame seeds are covered properly and the store has a good product turnover to ensure maximal freshness, whether buying in bulk or in packets, check out the stones if so and make sure that there should not be any evidence of moisture inside and the seeds must be whole and blemishes free.
USES:
- Natural Black sesame seeds are highly used in bakery products breads, bread sticks, cookies, candies, pasta, vegetables & curry dishes.
- Toasted sesame seeds are used for making variety of chocolates, ice-creams and halwas.
- Black sesame seeds have been used as an anti-aging food to make various Ayurveda and Chinese traditions.
- Several types of salads, raitas and dressings are flavored with roasted black sesame seeds.
- Various types of rice recipes, vegetable dishes, chicken recipes, noodles, pasta dishes, etc contains a dash of sesame seeds.
- Sesame seeds are generally used for making delicious starters and crispy coated food items such as cutlets.
- Sesame seeds can be used to make homemade bread, muffins or cookies.
- It enhance the flavor of any food item and works as a great and traditional seasoning for several recipes.
- Sesame paste called tahini is mainly used to make various delicious toasted bread sandwiches and snacks.
- Mix a tbsp of sesame seeds with rice, soy sauce, vinegar, crushed ginger and garlic. Add vegetables and fruits of your choice and enjoy a yummy salad recipe.
- Make a paste of sesame seeds, watermelon seeds, poppy seeds, cashew nuts and almonds and use to marinate the chicken, fish or pork and make delicious kababs.
- Roasted white sesame seeds enhance the flavors of parathas, Sindhi style koki and kulcha recipes.
- Sesame seeds can be baked into crackers in the form of sticks.
- Some sushi style recipes are strongly flavored with roasted and sprinkled sesame seeds.
- ‘Milakai Podi’is one of the most famous delicacy of Tamil Nadu is made from a ground powder of sesame and dry chillies.
- You can use the ground seeds to sprinkle over cereals, vegetable dishes and fruits.
- Sesame seeds can be ground or blended either in the food processor, mixer grinder or with the help of mortar and pestle and use as per your recipe requirement.
- Delicious sauces, dips, dressings, spreads or pestos can be made from sesame seeds by adding little amount of water, herbs and spices.
STORAGE:
- Sesame seeds must be stored in airtight container at a cool, dry and dark place.
- If the seeds are hulled then they are more prone to rancidity, in this case they must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Unrefrigerated seeds can be stored up to three months, where as refrigerated up to six months and frozen up to one year.
BENEFITS:
- Sesame seeds are extremely rich in calcium and very useful in calcium deficiency.
- Black sesame seeds contains best quality of oil and is also best suited for medicinal purposes to cure several human diseases.
- Black sesame seeds contain higher levels of antioxidants.
- Natural black sesame seeds are rich in calcium, protein and B-Vitamins.
- Red seeds are highly rich in iron and they are considered as a healthy & nourishing ingredient.
- Sesame seeds are a very good source of manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fiber.
- Sesame seeds also contains sesamin and semolina, these substances are beneficial fibers called lignans, that helps the cholesterol-lowering effect in humans and prevents high blood pressure, it also increases vitamin E supplies in animals.
- Sesame seeds helps in protecting the liver from oxidation damage.
- Sesame seeds are a very good source of dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats.
