I buy sesame seeds in bulk through a food co-op because of their high nutrient content and their great flexibility. You can center an entree around sesame seeds; you can center a dessert around sesame seeds. All the while, the nutrients in the sesame seeds may well be combating your depression. (Read the Rebuild philosophy on foods that fight depression.)
Sesame seeds are high in magnesium, zinc, and iron, the lack of which may be contributing to your depression.
Toast for flavor
The flavor of toasted sesame seeds is unequaled. They are also quite versatile. Toasted sesame seeds are wonderful additions over
• Salads
• Soups
• Open-faced sandwiches
• Casseroles
They are splendid additions to
• Salad dressings
• Sandwich fillings
• Almost any baked-good
A condiment of Korea consists of 1 cup of toasted sesame seeds whirled around in a blender to a course texture with a teaspoon of salt added to the mixture. It is a fine addition sprinkled on almost anything but ice cream.
How to toast
Method 1: Skillet
Place in a skillet over medium heat and stir constantly until the sesame seeds just begin to change color and are giving off a most wonderful aroma.
Method 2: Toaster Oven
Place the sesame seeds in the little pan that comes with your toaster oven. Set the heat at 300 degrees. Stir occasionally. This could take up to ½ hour depending on how much of the seed you are toasting.
I prefer the toaster oven method because it is less labor intensive and I am usually in the kitchen for 30 minutes at a time anyway. Just be careful that you don’t walk out of the kitchen and forget your precious seed.
Storing sesame seeds:
Any seed can go rancid. Sesame seed is no exception. Whether the seed is roasted or not, store it in a cool place. If your summers are like ours, store it in the refrigerator. However, do keep a fresh supply within arm’s reach to add to most of your cooking. This is a simple nutritional boost you don’t want to miss.
Speaking of dessert, this sesame cookie recipe looks pretty darned good:
@ Amazon.
Sesame seeds are great! Our co-op sells them unhulled too, which I love. I sprinkle them, toasted, over brown rice porridge for an asian-style breakfast.