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Sesame Oil for Stir-Fry: Should You Use It?

Food & Recipes, Blog

An Asian cooking staple, sesame oil is made from the seeds of sesame….

Several varieties are made from pressed plain seeds or toasted seeds…

…and they are used in different ways in Chinese, Japanese….

…South Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Typically, light type is used as a neutral cooking oil

…while toasted type is used as a flavoring for sauces, soups, and other dishes.

First let’s hear Shara’s story…

I was shocked when I got a health check up last month…

because my blood sugar is quite high. That is really concerning me.

But I don’t know where to start my diet. I still can’t stop eating sweets…

Then I read one article that said sesame oil helps with blood sugar…

I start changing my oil now. Hope it will help me!

In one rat study, topical treatment with ozonated sesame oil was linked to higher levels of collagen in wound tissue. Collagen is a structural protein necessary for wound healing.

healthline.com

Yes, it has many benefits if you use them..

So, can you use this oil for stir-fry?

Let’s find out!

Let’s talk about this first…


The Varieties of Sesame Oil

Sesame oil
Credit: nutritionyoucanuse.com

Sesame oil that has been toasted is also known as dark sesame oil…

…black sesame oil, or Asian sesame oil.

It is made from toasted sesame seeds

..and has a strong aroma and flavor…

This oil is often used as a finishing oil…

..adding nutty, toasty flavor to dishes hot or cold.

In general, the darker the toasted one , the stronger the flavor….

Sesame oil that is light in color is also known…

…as white one or plain one.

The oil is made using raw sesame seeds…

..resulting in high-heat, low-flavor oil.

Thi oil produced without heating or chemicals…

…is called cold-pressed sesame oil.

It is prized for its purity and can be found at health food stores….

There are also blended oils which combine toasted one with other oils…

The result is a cheaper option with a less intense taste…


What’s the Difference Between Regular and Toasted Sesame Oil?

As sesame oil is toasted, its flavor is enhanced….

Spices taste better when they are toasted…

Seeds are no different. A more intense nuttiness results…

This added flavor makes toasted one better for finishing than for cooking…

This oil has a lower smoke point than regular one…

…so we use it for shallow frying or roasting…

…just as we would a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed.

As you would think of bread, so should you…

Toast and bread are two different things…

Evidently. However, there are differences…

While toasting bread, the flavors of the bread become more roast-like..

As you re-toast a piece of toast, those flavors would intensify…

…until you were faced with gnarly, bitter, burnt bread.

It works in the same way…

Sesame oil that has previously been toasted will taste burnt…

…and slightly bitter if it is heated again.

this kind of oil doesn’t like to be heated too much….

Serve toasted one with cooked udon…

So you can use the toasted it to finish some roasted vegetables…

…or to make a salad dressing.

Use regular one in the pan to make some pan-fried noodles….

As a general rule, always use sesame oil that has been toasted first…

..then regular one.

This will make your grilled vegetables taste better….

You will have more aromatic noodle soups….

You’ll have more thought-provoking cabbage slaws….

There will be fewer arguments among your friends…

…and you will be respected more. The winner is everyone….

Almost always. You knew what was going on with sesame oil…

…all because you knew what sesame oil was.

Keep reading!


Pure Sesame Oil

Sesame oil
Credit: exporterindia.com

The light golden variety of sesame oil has a pleasant flavor…

Sesame oil is pressed from uncooked sesame seeds…

….and comes in both refined and unrefined forms.

The unrefined versions are used in salad dressings and marinades…

…where their flavor is enjoyed for its own sake.

As a meat and vegetable cooking oil…

…the refined version has a higher smoke point.

Sesame seeds are mildly nutty and add mild sesame flavor to dishes….

Next one is…


Dark Sesame Oil

Sesame oil
Credit. Indianmarket.com

As its name implies, dark sesame oil is much darker than pale golden sesame oil…

Sesame seeds, which gives the finished product a coffee-like color…

..are pressed from toasted seeds.

Using this oil for cooking would overpower its intense sesame flavor…

…as a result of the toasted seeds.

Sesame oil is instead used as a condiment or flavoring…

…added to foods just before serving to impart a deep sesame flavor.


Find out more about oils for stir-fry here!


How to Cook with Sesame Oil

Canola oil and vegetable oil can also be used as light sesame oil…

It has a similar neutral taste and can withstand high heat when frying or roasting…

You can use it for stir-frying or sautéing, or for anything…

…that requires a neutral-flavored oil.

When cooking with toasted sesame oil…

…use low heat or add it at the end or after cooking.

Dark sesame oil can be used for low- or medium-heat cooking (not deep-frying)…

….but tends to lose some of its flavor if it is cooked for too long…

…or over high heat. Nevertheless, it has a relatively high smoke point…

…of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. After cooking, it is often drizzled over…

….dishes like soups and stir-fries. 

Salad dressings, marinades, and sauces can be made with it….


What Does Sesame Oil Taste Like?

Sesame oil has a neutral oil flavor and will easily blend into any dish..

Sesame oil that has been toasted is favored for its nutty taste…

..which is reminiscent of toast.

This ingredient adds a punch of flavor to recipe..

… by giving them a distinct sesame aroma.


Sesame Oil Recipes

A variety of dishes benefit from toasted sesame oil’s delicious nutty flavor…

You can use this in salad dressings, marinades for meat or tofu..

..or drizzled over noodles, soup, or dips like hummus.

Sesame oil
Credit: recipeler.com

Where to Buy Sesame Oil

Most major supermarkets have toasted sesame oil in their Asian sections….

You can often find it in glass or plastic bottles…

…but you can also find it in larger jugs, particularly at bulk food stores.

Several different brands and light sesame oil…

…can typically be found in Asian markets.

Sesame oil should be 100 percent sesame (not blended) and…

…for toasted sesame, a darker color usually means a stronger flavor.

If you are looking for sesame oil and other best oils for stir-frying

…we have some recommendations for you.


Storage

Store sesame oil in its original container…

…with the lid screwed on tightly, in a cool, dark place.

Light sesame oil can be stored at room temperature for up to one year…

Despite the shorter shelf life of toasted sesame…

…it can still be stored for several months under ideal conditions.

It can also be stored in the fridge, extending its shelf life even further…

Even though the oil thickens when cold, it is easily pourable….


To Sum Up

There are some type of sesame oil you can use…

…and each type has different benefits.

And yes, you definietly can use sesame oil for stir-fry!


Conclusion

That’s it for can we stir-fry using sesame oil!

I hope this article can help to answer your question…

If you have more questions or info about it..

…feel free to leave a comment or contact us!


https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/why-use-dry-white-wine-for-cooking/
https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/what-oil-to-use-for-seasoning-cast-iron/
https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/olive-oil-can-be-used-to-stir-fry-2021/

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