CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI
The sesame plant likely originated in Asia or East Africa, and ancient Egyptians are known to have used the ground seed as grain flour. The seeds were used by the Chinese at least 5,000 years ago, and for centuries they have burned the oil to make soot for the finest Chinese ink blocks. Sesame Seeds Come from The Sesame Fruit, which is a long pod that looks sort of like okra, and grows on the sesame plant, which is native to Asia and East Africa. As the fruits dry, the pods begin to open, revealing the seeds inside.
People cultivate it for its edible seeds, which are a popular addition to many dishes all over the world. The sesame plant, Sesamum indicum, produces seeds that contain protein, fiber, and healthy fats. While sesame is also called til in our local culinary terms it has been used in a number of ways in our Indian recipes as well, including sweets as well.
Some of the Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds include
- Sesame seeds are a good source of fiber.
- It is said that sesame seeds help lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Sesame seeds are nutritious source of plant protein.
- Sesame seeds may help lower blood pressure levels.
- Consumption of sesame seeds also support healthy bone health.
- Sesame seeds are also beneficial in reducing inflammation.
- Sesame seeds are also a good source of B Vitamins.
- Sesame seeds aid in blood cell formation.
Tahini or tahina is a Middle Eastern condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame. It is served by itself or as a major ingredient in hummus, baba ganoush, and halva. Tahini is used in the cuisines of the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean, the South Caucasus, as well as parts of North Africa. Tahini is made by grinding sesame seeds into a smooth paste. Sometimes the sesame seeds are hulled, sometimes they’re left unhulled; sometimes roasted, sometimes raw. We like to use tahini to make dressings, soft serve, snack bites, stuffed dates, and SO many other dishes. Why do you put tahini in hummus? Does hummus need tahini? Yet another popular query, in fact, tahini is one of hummus’ main ingredients, along with chickpeas and olive oil. That’s why our favorite dip can be so rich and delicious—in hummus, tahini adds smoothness to the texture, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
While some foodies also ask What is a substitute for tahini? The best substitute for tahini? Cashew butter or almond butter. These nut butters have a similar consistency to tahini and their flavor is fairly neutral. Some people claim you can use peanut butter as a substitute, but we prefer the more neutral flavor of cashew and almond butter.
Here are a few of my recipes using sesame seeds on quick fix toasts, great to have on a Sunday for an evening snack or supper with a bowl of soup!
DESI CHINI SESAME TOAST
Ingredients
For the base of the toast
White bread/ brown bread- 3-5 slices, cut into fingers/squares etc
For the topping
Oil-2 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic- 1 tsp chopped
Ginger-1 tsp chopped
Spring onions- 3-4 no chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Carrots- ½ cup grated
French beans- 4-6 no fine sliced
Capsicum- ½ no chopped
Boiled mashed potato-1 cup
Soy sauce- 2 tsp
Red chili sauce- 2 tsp
White vinegar- 1-2 tsp
Grated cheese- 2-3 tbsp.
White sesame seeds- 2-3 tbsp.
Maida/cornflour/breadcrumbs- as needed for binding/coating
Oil to deep fry as needed.
Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped for garnish
To serve with: assorted dipping sauces/ schezuan sauce etc
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the sesame toast recipe as listed.
- Cut the bread slices as desired and lightly toast them, keep aside.
- Prepare the topping by heating up the oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients in the pan one by one and allow them to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, add a little water and simmer.
- Once the veggies are cooked with a little crunch add in the sauces, seasonings to taste and cook until the mixture dries up in the pan and add the mashed potatoes towards the end, mix well and turn off the flame. Remove the mixture into a plate, add cheese and mix.
- Once the mixture has cooled down a little apply the mixture on the bread pieces one by one and with a little wet fingers/ palms press it on the bread slice and sprinkle sesame seeds and top, press a little and keep aside for 10-12 mins in the fridge.
- Just before serving fry the sesame toasts on a medium flame to a light golden color, remove and drain off the excess oil on a kitchen paper. Serve hot with assorted dips/sauces.
HERBED TOFU SESAME TOAST
Ingredients
For the base of the toast
White bread/ brown bread- 3-5 slices, cut into fingers/squares etc
For the topping
Oil-2 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic- 1 tsp chopped
Ginger-1 tsp chopped
Spring onions- 3-4 no chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Chili flakes-1/2 tsp
Tofu/ vegan cheese- 1 cup crumbled
White cabbage-1/2 cup fine chopped
Yellow/red Capsicum- ½ no chopped
Boiled mashed potato-1 cup
Soy sauce- 2 tsp
Red chili sauce- 2 tsp
White vinegar- 1-2 tsp
Grated cheese- 2-3 tbsp.
White sesame seeds- 2-3 tbsp.
Maida/cornflour/breadcrumbs- as needed for binding/coating
Oil to deep fry as needed.
Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped for garnish
To serve with: assorted dipping sauces/ schezuan sauce etc
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the sesame toast recipe as listed.
- Cut the bread slices as desired and lightly toast them, keep aside.
- Prepare the topping by heating up the oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients in the pan one by one and allow them to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, add a little water and simmer.
- Once the veggies are cooked with a little crunch add in the sauces, seasonings to taste and cook until the mixture dries up in the pan and add the mashed potatoes towards the end, mix well and turn off the flame. Remove the mixture into a plate, add cheese and mix.
- Once the mixture has cooled down a little apply the mixture on the bread pieces one by one and with a little wet fingers/ palms press it on the bread slice and sprinkle sesame seeds and top, press a little and keep aside for 10-12 mins in the fridge.
- Just before serving fry the sesame toasts on a medium flame to a light golden color, remove and drain off the excess oil on a kitchen paper. Serve hot with assorted dips/sauces.
SHRIMP AND PEPPER SESAME TOAST
Ingredients
For the base of the toast
White bread/ brown bread- 3-5 slices, cut into fingers/squares etc
For the topping
Oil-2 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic- 1 tsp chopped
Ginger-1 tsp chopped
Spring onions- 3-4 no chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Chili flakes-1/2 tsp
Shrimps-1 cup, cleaned, washed
Green chilies-1 tsp chopped
Green/red Capsicum- ½ no chopped
Boiled mashed potato-1/2 cup
Soy sauce- 1 tsp
Red chili sauce- 1 tsp
White vinegar- 1-2 tsp
Grated cheese- 2-3 tbsp.
White sesame seeds- 2-3 tbsp.
Maida/cornflour/breadcrumbs- as needed for binding/coating
Oil to deep fry as needed.
Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped for garnish
To serve with: assorted dipping sauces/ schezuan sauce etc
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the sesame toast recipe as listed.
- Cut the bread slices as desired and lightly toast them, keep aside.
- Prepare the topping by heating up the oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients in the pan one by one and allow them to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, add a little water and simmer.
- Once the veggies are cooked with a little crunch add in the sauces, seasonings to taste and cook until the mixture dries up in the pan and add the mashed potatoes towards the end, mix well and turn off the flame. Remove the mixture into a plate, add cheese and mix.
- Once the mixture has cooled down a little apply the mixture on the bread pieces one by one and with a little wet fingers/ palms press it on the bread slice and sprinkle sesame seeds and top, press a little and keep aside for 10-12 mins in the fridge.
- Just before serving fry the sesame toasts on a medium flame to a light golden color, remove and drain off the excess oil on a kitchen paper. Serve hot with assorted dips/sauces.
SOY SESAME TOAST
Ingredients
For the base of the toast
White bread/ brown bread- 3-5 slices, cut into fingers/squares etc
For the topping
Oil-2 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic- 1 tsp chopped
Ginger-1 tsp chopped
Spring onions- 3-4 no chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Soy granules- 1 cup, soaked in warm water-15 mins
Green peas-1/2 cup boiled
Green chilies-1 tsp chopped
Green/red Capsicum- ½ no chopped
Boiled mashed potato-1/2 cup
Soy sauce- 1 tsp
Red chili sauce- 1 tsp
White vinegar- 1-2 tsp
Grated cheese- 2-3 tbsp.
White sesame seeds- 2-3 tbsp.
Maida/cornflour/breadcrumbs- as needed for binding/coating
Oil to deep fry as needed.
Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped for garnish
To serve with: assorted dipping sauces/ schezuan sauce etc
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the sesame toast recipe as listed.
- Cut the bread slices as desired and lightly toast them, keep aside.
- Prepare the topping by heating up the oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients in the pan one by one and allow them to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, add a little water and simmer.
- Once the veggies are cooked with a little crunch add in the sauces, seasonings to taste and cook until the mixture dries up in the pan and add the mashed potatoes towards the end, mix well and turn off the flame. Remove the mixture into a plate, add cheese and mix.
- Once the mixture has cooled down a little apply the mixture on the bread pieces one by one and with a little wet fingers/ palms press it on the bread slice and sprinkle sesame seeds and top, press a little and keep aside for 10-12 mins in the fridge.
- Just before serving fry the sesame toasts on a medium flame to a light golden color, remove and drain off the excess oil on a kitchen paper. Serve hot with assorted dips/sauces.
SPICED MUSHROOM SESAME TOAST
Ingredients
For the base of the toast
White bread/ brown bread- 3-5 slices, cut into fingers/squares etc
For the topping
Oil-2 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic- 1 tsp chopped
Ginger-1 tsp chopped
Spring onions- 3-4 no chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Button mushrooms- 1 cup sliced, fresh
Sweet corn-1/2 cup boiled and crushed
Green chilies-1 tsp chopped
Green/yellow Capsicum- ½ no chopped
Boiled mashed potato-1/2 cup
Soy sauce- 1 tsp
Red chili sauce- 1 tsp
White vinegar- 1-2 tsp
Grated cheese- 2-3 tbsp.
White sesame seeds- 2-3 tbsp.
Maida/cornflour/breadcrumbs- as needed for binding/coating
Oil to deep fry as needed.
Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped for garnish
To serve with: assorted dipping sauces/ schezuan sauce etc
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the sesame toast recipe as listed.
- Cut the bread slices as desired and lightly toast them, keep aside.
- Prepare the topping by heating up the oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients in the pan one by one and allow them to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, add a little water and simmer.
- Once the veggies are cooked with a little crunch add in the sauces, seasonings to taste and cook until the mixture dries up in the pan and add the mashed potatoes towards the end, mix well and turn off the flame. Remove the mixture into a plate, add cheese and mix.
- Once the mixture has cooled down a little apply the mixture on the bread pieces one by one and with a little wet fingers/ palms press it on the bread slice and sprinkle sesame seeds and top, press a little and keep aside for 10-12 mins in the fridge.
- Just before serving fry the sesame toasts on a medium flame to a light golden color, remove and drain off the excess oil on a kitchen paper. Serve hot with assorted dips/sauces.
VEGGIE SPECIAL SESAME TOAST
Ingredients
For the base of the toast
White bread/ brown bread- 3-5 slices, cut into fingers/squares etc
For the topping
Oil-2 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic- 1 tsp chopped
Spring onions- 3-4 no chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Cauliflower grated-1 cup
Carrots-1/4 cup grated
Green chilies-1 tsp chopped
Green/red Capsicum- ½ no chopped
Boiled mashed potato-1/2 cup
Soy sauce- 1 tsp
Schezuan sauce- 1 tsp
White vinegar- 1-2 tsp
Grated cheese- 2-3 tbsp.
White sesame seeds- 2-3 tbsp.
Maida/cornflour/breadcrumbs- as needed for binding/coating
Oil to deep fry as needed.
Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped for garnish
To serve with: assorted dipping sauces/ tomato sauce etc
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the sesame toast recipe as listed.
- Cut the bread slices as desired and lightly toast them, keep aside.
- Prepare the topping by heating up the oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients in the pan one by one and allow them to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, add a little water and simmer.
- Once the veggies are cooked with a little crunch add in the sauces, seasonings to taste and cook until the mixture dries up in the pan and add the mashed potatoes towards the end, mix well and turn off the flame. Remove the mixture into a plate, add cheese and mix.
- Once the mixture has cooled down a little apply the mixture on the bread pieces one by one and with a little wet fingers/ palms press it on the bread slice and sprinkle sesame seeds and top, press a little and keep aside for 10-12 mins in the fridge.
- Just before serving fry the sesame toasts on a medium flame to a light golden color, remove and drain off the excess oil on a kitchen paper. Serve hot with assorted dips/sauces.
Celebrity Master Chef Dr Kaviraj Khialani is a Mumbai-based hotel-restaurant and food consultant. He is specialised in over 33 international cuisines and has quality experience with hotels and airlines as a part of his long journey of over two decades in his chosen field. Chef Kaviraj is a renowned author, academician, food designer, writer and has also been awarded several national awards and global recognitions for his talent & outstanding achievements. Besides having been featured on several food shows on ColorsTV and Star Plus he is a mentor, coach and guide to aspiring to be future chefs and hoteliers of tomorrow.
Celebrity Master Chef Dr Kaviraj Khialani can be contacted at twitter: @kaviraj_chef Mobile: 91 9820939336
