Amp Up Your Spring Salads! Try Black Sesame Seeds
Black sesame seeds are a close cousin to the white seeds you see more often — they're not hulled like the white ones and boast more of a dark, nutty flavor. While they're used most often in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, they're popping up more and more on restaurant and cafe menus across the country.
A popular way to enjoy black sesame seeds is to toast them first to enhance their flavor. From there, you can sprinkle them in or on your morning granola or oats, on top of baked goods, in stir-fry or pasta — and scattered atop your favorite salad.
With the added boost of flavor and color in what could be an otherwise ordinary salad, it's often difficult to decide how much of any one new ingredient to use. With black sesame seeds, a little goes a long way: 1-2 tablespoons is all you need. Rich in fatty oils and antioxidants, they're a natural fit for your next dinner salad.
Try a Few Recipes:
- Ginger, Citrus and Black Sesame Carrots with Edamame (pictured) - The First Mess
- Wilted Spinach Salad with Red Onion, Edamame and Black Sesame Seeds - Kalyn's Kitchen
- Asian Nicoise Salad with Seared Black Sesame Tuna - Spice Islands
- Steamed Vegetable Salad with Black Sesame Flax Dressing - Coconut and Quinoa
Related: Ingredient Spotlight: Black Sesame Paste
(Images: The First Mess )