Sesame Salt Recipes

Steps:

• Place a cast iron or heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan over medium heat. Add salt. Stir until heated through, about 1 minute. Pour salt into a mortar. Add sesame seeds to the pan. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula until seeds are fragrant and starting to crack. Test if the seeds are ready using the back of a stainless steel spoon; they will be dry, not wet.
• Pour the toasted seeds into the mortar. Allow to cool slightly. Place the mortar at hip level, preferably while seated. Grind with a pestle until the seeds have opened and the salt pulverizes; the finished mixture should resemble rough sand.

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet (cast iron is best), toast salt until it turns a grey color. Set aside.
• Toast the 2 cups sesame seeds, stirring constantly, till they start popping and turn a nice brown.
• Watch them closely, or they will burn!
• The traditional way to grind them is with a mortar and pestle,just until the seeds crack open and release their oils.
• The texture should be light and sandy.
• They should ultimately be 95% crushed.
• Because I do not currently own a mortar and pestle, I have put them in the blender and whiz them a few times till blended thoroughly. Update: now I use a coffee grinder or a food processor to grind.
• Store gomasio in a tightly closed glass jar, keep in a cool dry place.
• DO NOT REFRIGERATE! (Update: after 6 months I did refrigerate and it's still good!).
• I have kept this for over 6 months without spoiling.
• This is delicious over brown rice, salad, baked potatoes, veggies, almost anything!
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Coarsely grind sesame seeds and salt in a spice grinder, then place in a small bowl. (Alternatively, chop sesame seeds and salt together finely.)
• Fill a large pot fitted with a steamer insert or basket with 2 to 3 inches water. Bring water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Steam edamame, covered, until hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and sprinkle with sesame-salt mixture. Serve immediately.