Sesame Rice

When I think of sesame seed, or bene seed as we call it in Trinidad and Tobago, I think of Tobago’s bene balls and bene chutney, but now I think also of sesame rice.   I got the idea of making this sesame rice last weekend, when browsing the internet and by the looks of it I thought it would be plain and dull.  The method the recipes used was simple enough for anyone to do, but somehow it didn’t impress me at all.

I set upon task of making my sesame rice dish to my liking with a few added “trini” twists. I did not expect it to taste so delicious. My wife and son really enjoyed it, and knowing my son doesn’t like rice too much, I was really surprised when he cleaned his plate.

Cooking with the sesame seed was easy.  All I did was toast it to bring out it’s nutty flavour which I knew would add to the dish. The added seasonings comes with the territory. Somehow, chadon beni would be there most present together with pimento, ginger and onion. While these were sauteed over the fire the whole kitchen was fragrant , the odour of onions sauteing is heavenly to me.

Generally this sesame seed is used as a topping for breads, muffins, cookies, biscuits, and soups.  However, I used the seeds in rice and was amazed.   The rich nutty taste of this rice dish enveloped my tasted buds with little nutty fragrant explosions going off in my mouth when I encountered a sesame seed. The texture of the rice was also a different one as well, so it’s definitely one that’s memorable. But the benefits don’t end here.

You will be most amazed with the health benefits of sesame seeds.  Most sites claim that sesame seeds can prevent diabetes, lower blood pressure, build strong bones, improve digestion, and much more.  This sesame rice dish is now on my Sunday menu list, up there with spicy coconut rice and carrot rice …

And you may want to add it for any other special occasion, like a family gathering.  However, you should know that some people might be allergic to sesame seeds.  I sure hope no one in your family is allergic… or you could just have to make another rice dish from this site.   We have lots…

Lets go to the recipe now… Here’s Sesame rice with a twist of trini cooking artistry.

Sesame Rice Recipe

 SESAME RICE

1 cup jasmin rice (uncooked)
1/2 cup onion, diced finely
2 small pimento, diced finely (approx 1 tbsp)
1/2 tbsp ginger grated
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp chadon beni, minced
1/4 tsp.  black pepper
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp parsley
salt to taste
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp sesame oil

Boil the rice for 15 minutes on a low simmer and set aside.

Place a dry skillet or pot over low heat.  Add the sesame seeds and …

… toast until golden stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Next, saute the onion…

… pimento and ginger.

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the rice and sesame seeds. Lightly toss.

Finally add the chadon beni, parsley, black pepper, salt, and sesame oil. Lightly toss again. Serve hot.

Here is the prepared sesame rice.

Print

Sesame Rice

Course Rice Dishes

Cuisine Chinese

Author Felix (Simply Trini Cooking)

Ingredients

• 1 cup jasmin rice uncooked
• 1/2 cup onion diced finely
• 2 small pimento diced finely (approx 1 tbsp)
• 1/2 tbsp ginger grated
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp chadon beni minced
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 1 tsp parsley
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

• Boil the rice for 15 minutes on a low simmer and set aside.
• Place a dry skillet or pot over low heat.
• Add the sesame seeds and toast until golden stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Next, saute the onion, pimento and ginger.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the rice and sesame seeds. Lightly toss.
• Finally add the chadon beni, parsley, black pepper, salt, and sesame oil. Lightly toss again. Serve hot.

Well there it is! Another wonderful recipe from my kitchen to yours. Hope you like it. More recipes to come as usual.

Ah Gone 🙂