Soy Sauce, Honey, Toasted Sesame Seed Oil

[K. Slink]

Just those three ingredients in equal proportions make a deep, richly flavored marinade for chicken or pork. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavor. If baking, line pan with sprayed foil for much easier cleanup--the honey becomes soldered to the pan otherwise. If grilling use indirect heat or the same thing will happen. This is also very good on shrimp, but only marinate them briefly or the flavors overwhelm the shrimp. Maybe even just use it as a glaze for shrimp, instead. I find the sesame seed oil a bit strong for me so I usually cut that amount in half. You'll figure out which way you prefer it!

[KarenB]

I've also used mustard seed or grape seed oil.They both give a unique flavour.

[Rozzer]

Just those three ingredients in equal proportions make a deep, richly flavored marinade for chicken or pork. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavor. If baking, line pan with sprayed foil for much easier cleanup--the honey becomes soldered to the pan otherwise. If grilling use indirect heat or the same thing will happen. This is also very good on shrimp, but only marinate them briefly or the flavors overwhelm the shrimp. Maybe even just use it as a glaze for shrimp, instead. I find the sesame seed oil a bit strong for me so I usually cut that amount in half. You'll figure out which way you prefer it!

Is toasted sesame seed oil something you buy in a store or do you just toast sesame seeds in sesame seed oil?

[K. Slink]

It's in the Asian section of the grocery store, a golden brown colored oil for flavoring, not cooking with.

[brigid]

It must be used very judiciously or it overpowers everything, but used correctly it will add a flavor that will delight you. It lends a flavor that will remind you of the Chinese dishes you may have had in restaurants, but didn't recognize what that delicious flavor was. Experiment with just how much is perfect for your own taste!

[K. Slink]

Apparently there's a clear sesame seed oil available in health food stores--this is NOT what you want!

[K. Slink]

And one more thing I just thought of--make sure the label says pure and not blend. Some companies mix it with canola oil and the flavor punch just isn't there. I found that one out the hard way!

[Rozzer]

It must be used very judiciously or it overpowers everything, but used correctly it will add a flavor that will delight you. It lends a flavor that will remind you of the Chinese dishes you may have had in restaurants, but didn't recognize what that delicious flavor was. Experiment with just how much is perfect for your own taste!

We normally stock what I'd call normal sesame seed oil and we put a quarter or a half teaspoonful on noodles, and it gives a lovely taste. Are you making a strict distinction between regular sesame seed oil and toasted sesame seed oil? Do they use both kinds in Chinese restaurants?

[K. Slink]

I've never come across normal sesame seed oil, maybe because I wasn't looking for it. Does it have flavor to it like toasted sesame seed oil?

[Rozzer]

I've never come across normal sesame seed oil, maybe because I wasn't looking for it. Does it have flavor to it like toasted sesame seed oil?

So far as I know, I've never HAD toasted sesame oil. Just the oil that comes out of the bottle labeled "sesame oil." It's in the "Asian" supermarket section, with hoisin sauce and the expensive coconut milk (the cheap coconut milk is in the section with evaporated and condensed milk). There are a couple of little Asian food markets around and I expect that's where I'd have to go to find "toasted" sesame oil. Not in the budget this month, I'm afraid.