Sesame Seeds

Many recipes in this book call for toasted sesame seeds. The reason is simple: Toasting intensifies the seeds’ flavor, imparting a pleasing nutty fragrance to boot. To toast sesame seeds, place them in a heavy, dry skillet and cook over medium heat until the seeds begin to brown, shaking the pan to ensure even cooking. This will take 2 to 4 minutes; don’t let them burn. Immediately transfer the seeds to a shallow heatproof bowl to cool.