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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 10 Minutes Servings: 2 |
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Sesame seeds were an important crop for the peoples of the ancient Near East because of the high quality of the oil and meal they provided. Archaeologists have found evidence of sesame cultivation in Egypt, Palestine, Babylonia, and Assyria. Read more . North of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, they discovered crushed seeds in their excavations of the kingdom of Ararat (Jeremiah 51:27). In ancient times, sesame oil was primarily employed as a fuel for lamps. However, it had culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic applications as well. Although sesame seeds are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, the ancient Hebrews certainly must have used them in their cooking. To this day, they are a ubiquitous ingredient in the cuisines of the eastern Mediterranean. When lightly toasted and ground into a paste, sesame seeds add a nutty flavor to a wide variety of sauces, dips, and dressings . Ingredients:
1/2 cup hulled sesame seeds |
1/4 cup water |
1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar |
1/4 teaspoon salt |
1 small clove garlic, minced |
olive oil |
bitter herbs (such as arugula, chicory, dandelion |
endive, sorrel, or watercress), washed and dried |
or unleavened griddle bread |
Directions:
1. Toast the sesame seeds 1/4 cup at a time. Immediately after the seeds are toasted, grind them into a paste using a mortar and pestle, electric spice grinder, or grain mill. Transfer the paste to a small serving bowl, and mix with the water. Stir in the vinegar, salt, and garlic, and mix well. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve at room temperature with the bitter herbs or bread for dipping.
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