Combining seaweed and sesame: 5 delicious dishes to try
What's the story
Seaweed and sesame seeds, while common in many dishes (particularly Asian cuisine), might not be the first pairing that comes to mind when you think of flavor combinations.
The salty, umami goodness of seaweed and the nutty crunch of sesame seeds might be an unexpected match, but trust us, it works!
Read on for five ways to incorporate this dynamic duo into your culinary adventures.
Rice balls
Seaweed sesame rice balls
A simple and delicious way to experience the combination of seaweed and sesame is by creating rice balls.
Simply mix cooked rice with toasted sesame seeds and then wrap this combination in a sheet of nori seaweed.
The resulting portable snack or meal element offers a pleasing contrast between the soft rice, the crispy seaweed, and the crunch provided by the sesame seeds.
Salad dressing
Sesame-seaweed salad dressing
Take your salads to the next level by whisking up a dressing with sesame oil, soy sauce, finely chopped seaweed, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
This dressing harnesses the deep flavor of sesame oil and the oceanic taste of seaweed, resulting in a dressing that's not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
It pairs particularly well with leafy greens or noodle salads.
Topping
Crunchy seaweed-sesame topping
To instantly upgrade your meals, make a crispy topping with toasted seaweed and sesame seeds.
Simply cut up some dried seaweed sheets into small pieces. Then, combine them with toasted white or black sesame seeds.
This special mix brings a delightful crunch and flavor boost to various dishes, like soups, salads, or even plain rice bowls, enhancing every bite.
Snack sticks
Seaweed wrapped sesame sticks
If you want a quick and easy snack that delivers a burst of flavor and texture, try your hand at making seaweed-wrapped sesame sticks.
Simply coat thin breadsticks or pretzel sticks in honey (or maple syrup for vegans) and then roll them in toasted white or black sesame seeds.
Finally, wrap each stick in a small strip of nori seaweed for that added layer of umami goodness.
Chips
Sesame-flavored seawood chips
Make your own chips at home by baking thin slices of fresh seaweed seasoned with salt until crispy.
Once removed from the oven, sprinkle generously with roasted ground sesame seeds while still warm.
These chips are a fun and healthy alternative to traditional snacks, offering a satisfying crunch with a hint of nuttiness from the sesame seeds.