Sesame Paste

sesame paste Used as a condiment and flavoring in Chinese cooking, sesame paste is available from Chinese groceries. The sesame seeds in Chinese sesame paste are roasted before being ground to a paste. Consequently, Chinese sesame paste is a dun-brown color, not as pale as the sesame paste made from unroasted seeds, called tahini, that is used in the Eastern Mediterranean. The oil and the paste solids separate as the paste stands (as they do with unpasteurized peanut butter); stir them together before using. You can substitute the natural roasted sesame butter sold in some natural foods stores alongside peanut butter.