How to Roast Sesame Seeds

Raw sesame seeds are a pale white to off-white color. They do not have much flavor until you roast the sesame seeds. Roasting, some times referred to as toasting, causes the sesame seeds to release their natural oils resulting in a rich, nutty flavor. This gives them a punch of flavor that can be used in many dishes. A handful can be thrown on a salad, into a noodle dish or they can be used to coat meat and seafood dishes for additional flavor.

Things You'll Need

• Sesame seeds Small skillet Wooden spoon Bowl

Instructions

1. Heat a small pan over medium heat on your stovetop. Make sure there the pan is dry with no oil residue.

2. Pour the sesame seeds into the pan until they cover the bottom in a thin layer.

3. Cook the sesame seeds for three to four minutes. Shake the pan every 20 seconds or stir with a wooden spoon so they can evenly roast. After one to two minutes the seeds will begin to darken and shine with the release of their oils.

4. Remove the pan from the heat immediately when the sesame seeds reach a light to medium golden brown color. Pour into a bowl so the heat from the pan doesn't continue to cook them.

5. Allow the sesame seeds to cool for five minutes if they will be used in cold recipes such as salads.

Tips & Warnings

• Unroasted sesame seeds are available at Asian groceries and standard grocery stores. Crush toasted sesame seeds with the back of a spoon to release even more flavor.

• Roasted sesame seeds can become rancid in a few days, so use immediately.