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 12 Uses of Sesame Seeds, Til

12 Uses of Sesame Seeds, Til 

Sesame seeds are tiny, oval shaped seeds that are a little nutty in taste and give a slight crunch when you eat them. They are available in different colors – white, black or even yellow – even though the taste difference is negligible. Sesame seeds can be had roasted, added raw to recipes or turned into a paste. They are used in Asian cuisines along with Indian and Middle Eastern.



1. Sesame seeds are used extensively in Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Try North Indian style Whole Wheat Coriander and Sesame Seeds Naan. 

Whole Wheat Coriander and Sesame Seeds Naan
 Whole Wheat Coriander and Sesame Seeds Naan

2. Sesame oil is extracted from sesame seeds which is sometimes used in cooking or even as a condiment in some parts of the world. The famous Schezuan Sauce makes use of sesame oil. 

Schezuan Sauce, Chinese Schezwan Sauce RecipeSchezuan Sauce, Chinese Schezwan Sauce Recipe

3. In India, sesame seeds are used to make a variety of dishes whether sweet or savory, as a main ingredient or as a garnish. Try Gujarati Mixed Dal Handvo.

Mixed Dal Handvo ( Gujarati Recipe)

Mixed Dal Handvo ( Gujarati Recipe)

4. During the festival of Makar Sankrant, til mixed with jaggery is used to make sweets like Ladoos and Til Chikkis. The crispy chikkis and ladoosgive an excellent mouth feel and are way of celebrating this festival. A similar preparation is also made in North India during a festival called Sakat Chauth as an offering to God. 

Til Papdi Chikki, Makar Sankranti Recipe

Til Papdi Chikki, Makar Sankranti Recipe

5. They form an essential part of the after meal snack, Mukhwas, which is basically just a mouth freshener and a digestive aid.

Multiseed Mukhwas

Multiseed Mukhwas

Apart from this, sesame seeds also form an essential part of the Curry leaves chutney powder which is served along with idli and dosa. 

Curry Leaves Chutney PowderCurry Leaves Chutney Powder

6. In Indian food it can be used in three ways – As a part of the main ingredients of the dish; as a topping or as part of the tadka. As a tadka, sesame seeds are added to hot oil and poured over Khandvis and Dhoklas. As a topping, black sesame seeds are used on naans and parathas. They also form one of the main ingredients in Hyderabadi Baghara Baingan or Bajra Bhakri, a south Indian delicacy. 

Hyderabadi Baghara BainganHyderabadi Baghara Baingan

7. Sesame seeds are used a lot in Gujarati cuisine, especially for garnishing.

They are used to garnish muthias, dhoklas, patra, handvo and many more delicacies. Try Oats Methi Muthia.

Oats Methi Muthia

Oats Methi Muthia

8. In the middle-east, Sesame seeds are roasted and grinded up with olive oil to form tahini. Tahini is used as a dip in its own capacity and is a major component of hummus and other Middle Eastern foods. Tahini based sauces are very common to dress different dishes like dan dan noodles. 

Tahini Paste, Lebanese Tahini Paste

Tahini Paste, Lebanese Tahini Paste

9. Another middle-eastern dish that uses sesame paste is Baba ganoush. This dish uses roasted Aubergine (eggplant), garlic, ground cumin, lemon juice and salt. Further it is also used as a spread on bread. 

Baba Ganoush

Baba Ganoush

10. Raw sesame seeds are used in different Asian cuisines from Chinese, Japanese to Thai and Vietnamese. In Japan they are used to garnish sushi like Cucumber Sushi, in Chinese cuisine they are added to soy sauce to make a dipping sauce or filled in dumplings. Sesame seeds provide a unique nutty flavor to Vietnamese stir fries and salads. 

Cucumber Sushi, Veg Cucumber Sushi

Cucumber Sushi, Veg Cucumber Sushi

11. In the western countries, sesame seeds are used to dress artisanal breads. Almost all bagels have toasted sesame seeds on them as a topping. Even McDonalds uses sesame seeds on all their burger buns. Check out the recipe of Homemade Burger Buns. 

Homemade Burger Buns

Homemade Burger Buns

12. Sesame seeds create heat in your body, making them ideal for winters. Til and Dry Fruit Chikki is made in many Indian households. 

Til-and-Dry-Fruit-Chikki
Til and Dry Fruit Chikki

To know about Recipes using Sesame Seeds, check out our collection.

12 Uses Of Sesame Seeds, Til



1.

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til papdi chikki Makar Sankranti recipe | til chikki with sugar | til patti | til papdi with sugar | with 16 amazing images. til papdi chikki Makar Sankranti recipe | til chikki with sugar | til patti | til papdi with sugar is a type of sesame chikki that’s really thin. Learn how to make til chikki with sugar. To make til papdi chikki Makar Sankranti, heat a broad non-stick pan, add the sesame seeds and dry roast on a slow flame for 2 minutes. Transfer the sesame seeds on a plate and cool completely. Put the sugar in the same broad non-stick pan, once it starts melting, tilt the pan till the sugar melts completely. It takes approximately 4 minutes. Add the sesame seeds, almond slivers and cardamom powder, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minutes, while stirring continuously. Immediately put the mixture on a greased rolling board and wait for a few seconds. Then roll it into a 250 mm. (10”) diameter circle using a greased rolling pin till it is really thin. If you find it difficult to roll then keep greasing the rolling pin. Cool it till it is firm. Lift it carefully using a flat steel spatula and cool again completely. Then roughly break them into pieces. Serve or store in an air-tight container. Use as required. This til patti being thin is not only attractive to look at, but also has a superbly crisp and exciting mouth-feel. A specialty that’s made during Sankranti, the til papdi with sugar is a delightful treat that’s made with sesame seeds along with a dash of almonds and a sprinkling of cardamom powder. We have made this chikki with the sesame seeds used for making chikki – it is commonly available in all shops. Basically we need the unpolished variety of sesame seeds for this til chikki with sugar. Moreover, as the name says this til patti is made with sugar as compared to most other chikki which are made using jaggery. Both the chikki have a good shelf life when stored in an airtight container – upto 1 month. Tips for til papdi chikki Makar Sankranti recipe. 1. At step 4, make sure you cool the mixture only for a few seconds and proceed immediately; else you will not be able to roll it if it cools too much. 2. Prefer a thick rolling pin as it helps to give uniform pressure while rolling. 3. Also remember to grease the rolling, board, rolling pin and your hands before you begin rolling the chikki. 4. Ensure to cool it completely before making pieces. You can also try other chikkis like the Peanut Chikki and Daria chikki. Enjoy til papdi chikki Makar Sankranti recipe | til chikki with sugar | til patti | til papdi with sugar | with step by step photos.

2.

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curry leaves powder | curry leaves chutney powder | South-Indian curry leaves chutney powder | karibevu chutney powder | Kari bevu chutney pudi | karuveppilai podi | karivepaku podi | with amazing 13 images. Chutney powders such as this Curry Leaves Chutney Powder, made with spices, daria and curry leaves, really come in handy on days when you do not have time to prepare chutney or Sambhar to accompany your Idlis and dosas.It is also known as karibevu chutney powder, Kari bevu chutney pudi, karuveppilai podi, karivepaku podi. Ensure the curry leaves are fresh, dark green and mature to get aromatic and fragrant curry leaves chutney powder. You can also add roasted peanuts to make curry leaves powder more nutty and tasty. You can serve the South-Indian curry leave chutney powder as it is, or mix it with til oil, to make a tongue-tickling and aromatic accompaniment! Not only that, the karuveppilai podi also comes in handy when you want to transform your idli or dosa into a dry, one-meal snack to carry to work, school or on a journey. You just need to coat your cooked idlis with til oil mixed with Curry Leaves Chutney Powder, or sprinkle some powder on the semi-cooked dosa before turning it around, to make a self-sufficient snack! Serve curry leaves powder immediately or store refrigerated in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use within 2 days. karivepaku podi can be eaten with rice, upma, idli, Pongal, etc. You can mix the kari bevu chutney pudi with ghee or coconut oil before eating. See detailed step by step photos and video curry leaves powder | curry leaves chutney powder | South-Indian curry leaves chutney powder | karibevu chutney powder | Kari bevu chutney pudi | karuveppilai podi | karivepaku podi | recipe below.

3.

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multiseed mukhwas | multi seed mukhwas | 4 seed healthy mukhwas | how to make multiseed mukhwas | with 13 amazing images. Multiseed mukhwas is a mouth-freshener with a touch of nutrition. Making this 4 seed healthy mukhwas is very simple. Learn how to make multiseed mukhwas - a wonderful post-dinner refresher! Making this multi seed mukhwas is very simple and quick. Just combine all the 4 seeds – flax seeds, white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds and fennel seeds in a bowl. Add lemon juice and salt to it, mix it and keep it aside for about an hour the flavours to blend well. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the flax seeds of multiseed mukhwas help build our cell membranes, signaling pathways and neurological systems. On the other hand, both the sesame seeds build your iron reserves and helps to overcome anemia. Anemia is an iron deficiency disorder usually marked by fatigue and tiredness. The lemon juice not only adds flavour and crispness, but also helps in further absorption of iron as it is rich in Vitamin C. Salt in this 4 seed healthy mukhwas has been measured. Follow the measure of ½ tsp of salt to a cup of these seeds. This is to not overdo on the salt consumption. In the form of this 4 seed healthy mukhwas it is simply an effortless to consume the seeds. Once you have learnt how to make multiseed mukhwas, you will enjoy the tongue-teasing taste of this mix of seeds. Do try it and reap its health benefits. Enjoy multiseed mukhwas | multi seed mukhwas | 4 seed healthy mukhwas | how to make multiseed mukhwas with step by step photos.

4.

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Hyderabadi bagara baingan recipe | bagare baingan | Hyderabadi Nizam style authentic bagara baingan | Indian eggplant curry | with 30 amazing images. Hyderabadi bagara baingan is a flavour-packed Indian eggplant curry which is loaded with the dynamic flavours of several seeds and spices. Learn how to make Hyderabadi Nizam style authentic baghara baingan. To make Hyderabadi bagara baingan, first make the paste. Combine the sesame seeds, coconut, peanuts, ginger, garlic and onions in a broad non-stick pan and dry roast them over a slow flame for 3 minutes. Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds powder, chilli powder and tamarind pulp and blend to a smooth paste using ½ cup water. Keep aside. Then make the sabzi. Slit the brinjals, lengthwise, into four, but leave the stems on, so the eggplants remain joined at the stem. Keep aside. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and nigella seeds and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds. When the seeds crackle, add the brinjals, curry leaves and green chillies and sauté over medium flame for 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Remove the brinjals and keep aside. In the same pan, add the coconut and sesame paste, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Add the cooked brinjals, ½ cup of water and salt, mix gently and cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve hot garnished with coriander. Slit brinjals are cooked with an aromatic and spicy tempering of seeds, curry leaves and green chillies, and a rich paste that contains a large amount of flavourful ingredients ranging from onions and ginger to spice powders and peanuts to make bagare baingan. The coconut and sesame paste is what lends its authentic colour to this Hyderabadi Nizam style authentic bagara baingan. Do not compromise on the quantity of oil used, as the paste has to be fried in it to get that toothsome experience. Indeed, every mouthful of this Indian eggplant curry is brimming with flavour, and it is bound to turn even plain rice or rotis into a memorable meal! Tips for Hyderabadi bagara baingan. 1. Choose the small variety of brinjals which are dark purple coloured for this sabzi. 2. While making slits in the brinjal, ensure that the slit is made only half way through it. Very deep slits will open up while cooking. 3. Using a broad non-stick pan is suggested as it will make tossing the brinjals easier. 4. Make the coconut and sesame paste fresh for best flavours and aroma. Try other baingan based dishes like Baingan Methi ki Subzi and Baingan Musasalam. Enjoy Hyderabadi bagara baingan recipe | bagare baingan | Hyderabadi Nizam style authentic bagara baingan | Indian eggplant curry.

5.

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patra recipe | Gujarati patra | Maharashtrian alu vadi | 28 amazing images. patra recipe is also called Gujarati patra or Maharashtrian alu vadi. If you have a Gujju friend or a gujju colleague, you would have definitely heard of patra or would have known their love for this supremely delicious dish! You can also easily make it at home by simply following the patra recipe we have got for you!! Colcocasia leaves are very nutritious as well as tasty, especially if made into patras – a smooth paste of besan with spicy, sweet and sour flavours is applied over the leaves, rolled and steamed. This requires skill and practice; however, it is easy once you start doing it. Patras make an amazing side dish with the meal. My mother would make this for evening snack or as an accompaniment with the meal. Sometimes, when colacassia leaves would not be available, she would use big and long spinach leaves to prepare patra. You can also make mini patras by using small leaves to make small rolls. Some people like it plain piping hot from the steamer without tempering while some prefer it with the tempering. Tasty as the cooked Gujarati patra option might be, the best way to have patras is fried! deep fry the cooked patras till crisp and have them with tea or sweet and sour chutney. Enjoy patra recipe | Gujarati patra | Maharashtrian alu vadi

6.

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tahini paste recipe | Lebanese tahini paste | Indian style tahini paste | with 11 amazing images. This homemade authentic Tahini Paste is so easy to make. A very flavourful and aromatic paste of sesame seeds and olive oil seasoned with salt, the Tahini Paste is a valuable addition to several Lebanese dishes. Tahini Paste is used primarily in making Hummus in Middle Eastern cooking. It can also be used in dips, spreads and other dishes. You will find that the use of oil-rich sesame seeds gives this paste a very unique taste that is both creamy and nutty. Notes on tahini paste recipe. 1. Dry roast til on a slow flame for 1 to 2 minutes or till fragrant. Alternatively, you can place the sesame seeds on a baking sheet and toast it in the preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. Toasting the sesame seeds gives the tahini a nuttier flavour. 2. Don’t forget to stir the seeds frequently so they get evenly toasted. Do not allow the sesame seeds to turn brown. They should be light golden in colour after roasting. This Tahini Paste is less expensive than commercial bought Tahini Paste and much healthier ingredients used. Zero preservatives and sugar in it. So have homemade Tahini Paste at hand always when you want to make your hummus and ingredients are available in India. Enjoy how to make tahini paste recipe | Lebanese tahini paste | Indian style tahini paste | with detailed step by step photos below.

7.

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baba ganoush recipe | roasted Indian eggplant dip | baba ganoush Lebanese recipe | with 22 amazing images. baba ganoush is a Middle Eastern style creamy dip most enjoyed for its flavour and texture. Learn how to make roasted eggplant dip. Easy baba ganoush is an incredible dip of roasted brinjals flavoured with garlic and cumin, and perked up with a touch of lemon. It has a nice smoky aroma and addictive flavour that everyone loves. To make baba ganoush, prick the brinjal with a fork, brush it evenly with oil and roast it over an open flame for 10 minutes or till the brinjal turns black from all the sides and the flesh is soft and pulpy. Allow it to cool slightly. Remove the skin and stem and discard them and roughly chop the brinjal. Combine the brinjals, olive oil, tahini paste, garlic, cumin seeds powder, lemon juice and salt in a mixer and blend till smooth. Put the mixture in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil. Serve with cucumber, carrots and breadsticks. Looking for a warmly flavoured dip to enjoy with bread or veggie sticks? Go for this baba ganoush lebanese recipe without a second thought! Aubergine lovers are sure to love this unique way of cooking them. Try making it when you are bored of using brinjal in sabzis. The use of tahini paste further adds on to the Mediterranean flavours. Further olive oil is the flavour enhancer. Lemon juice balances the flavours of the dip with its slight tanginess. Relish roasted eggplant dip with lavash, pita bread or veg sticks. You can also try other Lebanese dips like the Spicy Garlic Hummus or Shatta. Tips for baba ganoush. 1. Do not buy small brinjals for this recipe. They are difficult to roast and form into a paste. 2. Roast on a medium flame for even cooking. Enjoy baba ganoush recipe | roasted Indian eggplant dip | baba ganoush Lebanese recipe | with step by step photos below.

8.

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If your palate rejoices at the sight of fiery treats, then this Stir Fry Noodles in Black Sauce is just perfect for you. Noodles , along with sliced capsicum, other veggies and bean sprouts, is perked up with a really pungent combination of sauces like Hoisin sauce, soya sauce and vinegar. Sesame seeds, a very popular garnish in Chinese cuisine, unfurls its magic in this dish too, creating a really crisp and aromatic sensation that is sure to tickle your taste buds.

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