Sesame oil is very popular especially in Middle Eastern cuisine, where sesame seed puree is mashed to prepare traditional tahini. This paste, made from seasame seeds and sesame oil is available in all the Oriental grocery or health food stores. Sesame puree is a really versatile ingredient. Added to chickpeas or roasted eggplant, it makes a great spread.
Sesame oil can also be used in salads and in cooked dishes. Sometimes sesame oil is used in vinaigrette dressings, together with ginger and sprinkled on stir-fried or braised Eastern (fennel, endive and celery) vegetables.
You can also add a few drops of soy sauce to sesame oil. Use this mixture to marinate meats, seafood or fish, or to coat vegetables mounted on a skewer before grilling.
EXPLORE: Vegetarian Chikpea Sesame Meatballs
Here is recipe for a of sesame oil marinade for chicken, pork or shrimp:
- 2 tbsp. tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. of cumin
- Cilantro to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tsp. tablespoon of honey
Marinate meat several hours and then cook on the grill or in a pan.
Not enough? More recipes using sesame oil are easily available. Here is another dish with eggplants.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggplants
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- salt
Preheat grill. Prick eggplants all over with a fork. Place on a baking sheet lined with greased aluminum and put under the grill. Turn occasionally until the skin is softened. Remove from the oven.
Once cooled, separate the flesh from the skin with a spoon. Put the pulp in a colander and let it drain.
EXPLORE: Velvet Mushroom Soup
In a blender, combine the lemon juice, garlic, tahini and salt to taste. Mix for a few seconds. Add the eggplant and mash into a paste.
Transfer to a bowl and add a drizzle of olive oil.
Serve with toasted bread, pita or Lebanese bread….. Delicious!