Sesame | Healthiest Foods

Share Top Five January 11, 2019

Sesame is a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum, also called benne. Numerous wild relatives occur in Africa and a smaller number in India. It is widely naturalized in tropical regions around the world and is cultivated for its edible seeds, which grow in pods or “buns”. World production in 2016 was 6.1 million tonnes, with Tanzania, Myanmar, India, and Sudan as the largest producers,More info:wiki

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#10 Toasted sesame seeds,More info:maangchi

Properly toasted sesame seeds are a very important ingredient in Korean cuisine. They add a wonderful, toasted nuttiness to many Korean dishes, and are particularly important in giving vegetarian dishes an extra dimension of flavor. Other cultures use sesame seeds in their cooking but to me, properly toasted sesame seeds are part of what make Korean food distinctly Korean. When Koreans refer to sesame seeds, the fact that they are toasted is understood by all – no Korean would even consider using raw or untoasted sesame seeds in any dish. We love toasted sesame seeds.

I take my toasted sesame seeds seriously! I always have some on hand. I toast a few cups at a time and store them in the freezer, and take some out little by little over the next few months until I have to toast some more. And when I travel, I always bring a little stash with me for cooking on the road or livening up a dish. I’ve also given toasted sesame seeds as gifts! For me, that’s a great present!

#9 Sesame Balls Recipe (Chinese Dessert Jian Dui / Goma Dango),More info:cookingwithdog

#8 Pasteli: Greek Honey-Sesame Bars,More info:olivetomato

These sesame bars known as pasteli in Greek are the original power bars. They actually go back to antiquity, the ancient Greeks had a similar recipe that included a variety of nuts and honey. Today you can pretty much find pasteli anywhere in Greece. When I’m out and am looking for something quick I’ll stop by a periptero (kiosks that are everywhere) and that is what I’ll get. It is basically honey and sesame seeds. You can also find other types of pasteli that include other nuts such as pistachios.

These bars are traditionally consumed during times of fasting, when animal products are prohibited. If you do not already know, Greeks used to fast from animal products for about 180 days a year so these little things were nice little desserts to have.

#7 Peanut & sesame brittle,More info:redhousespice

#6 Sesame Balls,More info:epicurious

When we were children, we adored zeen doy(sesame balls). The dough is fried until golden brown so it is both crisp and chewy from the glutinous rice flour. It is eaten year-round, but especially for New Year’s and for birthday celebrations. As the dough fries, it expands, so the Chinese believe if you eat Sesame Balls your fortunes will expand similarly. The Sweetened Red Bean Paste for the filling can be purchased in a can or homemade. Sesame Balls must be eaten the day they are made. The following day, they can be heated in a 300-degree oven but, like so many foods, they are not nearly as good as when they are fresh. Remember to use glutinous rice flour and not rice flour! My Auntie Lil, who taught me this recipe, says the secret is to never knead the dough and to use cold sugar water.

#5 PCC SESAME QUINOA WITH EDAMAME,More info:pccmarkets

# 4 Sesame snap candy (ggae gwa ja),More info:sbs

These crisp, chewy sesame snaps are a popular Korean sweet. Made with black or white sesame seeds, sugar and starch syrup, they’re simple to make and incredibly moreish. Store the candy in an airtight container for up to three months.