3 savory and delicious things to make with sesame oil
Do you know what lends that unique nutty and smoky flavor to Asian cuisine? It’s sesame oil. Along with a delightful flavor, sesame oil also enhances the nutrition value of food. Enriched with calcium and zinc, sesame oil strengthens bones, lowers blood pressure, boosts metabolism, and helps with the bowel movement. Moreover, the use of sesame oil has been known to make hair shinier and skin healthier inside out.

Spiced-up cucumber soup
With a dash of curry and spices, this cucumber soup is a perfect mix of cool and spicy. Its thick consistency will satiate hunger pangs and curb unhealthy cravings for snacks. The spices lend a savory flavor and the seasoning with sesame oil gives it a delectable nutty taste.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ onion (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 cucumbers (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

• Over medium heat, heat the olive oil in a saucepan.
• Stir the garlic and onions in the oil for about 10 minutes.
• Add cucumber, milk, and vegetable broth.
• Season with parsley, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, curry powder, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper.
• Over medium-high heat, bring it to simmer.
• After reducing the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• In a blender, puree the soup to a creamy and little bit grainy texture.
• Garnish with finely chopped chives.

Asian lettuce wraps
A healthier version of burritos, these Asian-style lettuce wraps are perfect for family-style meals as well as house parties. It adds a fun quotient to a meal with each person making their own wrap.

Ingredients

• 16 Boston Bibb or butter lettuce leaves
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 teaspoons minced pickled ginger
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 can water chestnuts(drained and finely chopped)
• ¼ cup hoisin sauce
• 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
• 1 bunch green onions (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 dash Asian chili pepper sauce (optional).

Directions

• Heat a large skillet over a medium-high heat.
• Pour the cooking oil and cook the beef until it brown and crumbly.
• Drain the grease and transfer the cooked beef to a bowl.
• Cook the onions in the skillet until tender.
• Add the hoisin sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and chili pepper sauce.
• Stir the green onions, water chestnuts, cooked beef, and sesame oil.
• Cook mixture for about 2 minutes until the onions begin to wilt.
• When serving, arrange the lettuce leaves in the large platter.
• Transfer the meat mixture in a bowl and place it in the center of the platter.

Sesame noodles
This colorful noodle recipe is quite easy to make, and its sweet and spicy flavor is simply enticing.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces or 1 packet of linguine pasta
• 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• 6 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons chili sauce
• 6 tablespoons safflower oil
• 6 green onions (sliced)
• 6 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (toasted)

Directions

• In a pot, pour water and a little bit of salt.
• Bring it to boil.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it until al dente for about 8 to ten minutes.
• Drain the water and transfer the pasta to a serving bowl.
• Place a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Cook the sugar, garlic, safflower oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and chili sauce.
• Stir this continuously and bring it to boil until the sugar dissolves.
• Once done, pour the sauce over the cooked pasta.
• Toss it until the paste is completed coated in the sauce.
• Sprinkle the sesame seeds and green onions and serve it hot.