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Sesame Oil
Sesame oil, also known as gingelly or til oil, is an organic oil made from pressed sesame seeds. The sesame plant is similar to the oilseed rape plant. There are over 5 million acres of sesame plantations globally. Sesame oil is the main oil used for cookery in the Near and Far East. Light sesame oil has a smoke point of 410ºF and is good for frying.
If you keep it in a cool, dark place, sesame oil keeps well for several months. There are 2 varieties of sesame oil, light, and dark, both of which are high in polyunsaturated fat. In addition to its use as a cooking oil, sesame oil is used as a hair treatment and for body massage.
Light Sesame Oil
This is made with untoasted seeds, is excellent for frying, and has a nutty taste. Cold-pressed sesame oil is available in health food shops but, in most Asian countries, hot-pressed oil is preferred.
Toasted Sesame Oil
Toasted sesame oil is a lot stronger and is used for flavoring foods. It has a robust and earthy Oriental taste. It is not recommended for cooking because it burns easily and has a very intense flavor. It is best used as a seasoning. Toasted sesame oil, also called dark or Asian sesame oil, derives its flavor and dark color from toasted hulled sesame seeds. It is often used in Chinese, Korean and South Indian cuisine and is usually added at the end of cooking.
There are various types of toasted sesame oil available. Chinese sesame oil is usually dark brown. Cold-pressed sesame oil is nearly colorless and is produced from raw sesame seeds, giving it less flavor than the Chinese variety. Indian sesame oil is golden in color and normally has jaggery (an unrefined sugar) mixed into it.
Toasted sesame oil can be added to marinades, sauces, vinaigrettes, and salad dressings for a nutty taste. If you are deep-frying or making tempura, you can use 10% dark sesame oil and 90% another oil such as sunflower or peanut oil.
Recipe - Sesame Vegetables
One of the best ways to take advantage of sesame oil's rich flavor is to make a braised vegetable dish. Sauté some thin slices of ginger in 2 or 3 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil. Add vegetables such as cabbage, kale, bok choi or broccoli and a pinch of salt. Sauté for a couple of minutes and add 2 teaspoons of water. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are al dente. Serve steaming hot with an Asian-style fish or meat dish and rice or noodles.
Sesame Oil Benefits
Sesame oil, although quite high in polyunsaturated fat, contains magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, vitamin B6 and the antioxidant vitamin E. It is also thought to have anti-depressant properties, improve circulation, and ease fatigue and insomnia.
Research has proved that patients with hypertension require less medicine to treat it if they eat a diet high in sesame oil. The nutrients in sesame seeds are better if they are ground or pulverized before consumption, making sesame oil the perfect way to consume them.
