Sesame soy sauce is a versatile ingredient used in many Asian dishes. It can be made by combining soybean oil, water, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic, with the option of adding cornstarch or other ingredients for extra flavor. It is used to marinate meat, tossed through noodles or stir-fry, and served as a dipping sauce.
Soy sauce is just one of many key ingredients used to form a wide variety of recipes with an Asian flair. Some take it to new heights by adding grated ginger, sugar, cornstarch, and garlic for the teriyaki sauce. Others go a little further for a sesame soy sauce by also combining ingredients like sesame oil, vinegar, onion, and often sesame seeds and sesame paste.
Perhaps the simplest sesame soy sauce can be made by simply adding sesame oil to a basic recipe for teriyaki sauce. This means combining soybean oil, water and sesame with grated ginger and minced garlic. Although the proportions vary, for every 1 cup (about 235 mL) of water, 0.25 cup (about 60 mL) of soy and 2 tbsp. (about 30ml) of sesame oil will be needed, along with minced garlic and grated ginger to taste. Some chefs also add about 2 tbsp. (about 30 g) of corn starch as a thickener. Once the ingredients are combined, they can be whipped into a versatile sauce.
While some simply use sesame oil to form the base of sesame soy sauce, other chefs go much further to differentiate it from teriyaki and add the sesame’s signature nutty flavor. Rice wine vinegar is often added instead of water, in individual proportions with the soy sauce. One recipe uses 1.5 cups (about 12 ounces) of soy sauce and rice wine vinegar plus 1 tsp. (about 5 ml) of honey, 1 tbsp. each (about 15 g) of sliced shallots, minced garlic and sesame seeds, with 2 tsp. (about 10 ml) of sesame oil and 1.5 tsp. (about 7.5 ml) of chopped ginger to taste.
Another technique to thicken and imbue the sesame flavor is by adding a small amount of sesame paste. Called tahini, this paste is used to flavor the iconic mashed chickpea known as hummus. It can also replace cornstarch as a thickener to add an even bolder helping of sesame flavor in various sauces. Various herbs and dried pepper flakes can also be added to this sauce for a distinctive flavor. Others also replace the orange juice with some vinegar component, while adding sweet and sour elements.
Sesame soy sauce is found in many dishes throughout Asia and other countries. It is used to marinate meat, a mixture that can then serve as a sauce that coats the final product later. The sauce can be tossed through lo mein noodles or a quick vegetable stir-fry. Additionally, it can also be poured into a ramekin for use as a dipping sauce.
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