How to Toast Sesame Seeds

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 toasted that's when their rich, nutty flavor comes through.

Toasted sesame seeds (also known as roasted seeds if done in the oven) 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 toast sesame seeds.

Ingredients

• Sesame Seeds
• Salt (optional)

Instructions 

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot place raw sesame seeds inside so that they cover the bottom of the skillet.
2. Sprinkle with salt if desired and keep turning them with a spatula until they are golden brown. They should be done in a few minutes. Keeping them on the skillet too long and not turning them frequently will cause them to burn and become dark brown.

For even toasting 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 toast you can do them in batches. Just repeat all the steps above. Once the seeds are toasted let them cool off and then place in a glass 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 Toasted Sesame Seeds in Cooking

Toasted 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 toasted 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.

Toasted sesame seeds are a favorite of my mine and I use them frequently in my dishes. I don't buy toasted sesame seeds. I just buy the plain ones sold in a Chinese store and then toast them myself the way I've described above. I love the aroma that fills the kitchen when the sesame seeds are being toasted in the skillet. That's one of the reasons I prefer toasting my own sesame seeds rather than buying from the store those that already are.