Sesame Global Recipes + Stories of an Ancient Seed [A Cookbook]

By: Rachel Simons

Published by Random House, 2025-04-29

A clear, approachable guide to the world of sesame, from halva, tahini, and sesame oil, to togarashi, gomasio and furikake, with 80+ vegetarian-forward recipes, from the founder of popular tahini outfit Seed+Mill in New York’s historic Chelsea Market.

ONE OF EPICURIOUS’S BEST COOKBOOKS OF SPRING

With its delicious nutty taste, nutritional density, and long shelf life, the sesame seed is a tiny ingredient with an enormous cultural impact and a deeply rich history.

In Sesame, Rachel Simons, co-founder of Seed + Mill, celebrates the evolution, history, and diversity of this classic ingredient. Whether it’s in the form of a seed, tahini (a ground sesame paste), sesame oil, or halva (a delicate, fudge-like candy made from sesame paste), readers will learn to incorporate sesame in 80+ traditional and modern global recipes, including Sweet & Salty Sesame Challah; Pear and Pistachio Breakfast Loaf with Sesame Streusel; Lemony Orecchiette with Sesame Pangrattato; Gomasio-Crusted Salmon Skewers; and Tahini Swirled Pavlova with Labneh, Berries & Halva Flakes.

Through vibrant photography, evocative storytelling, and contributions from a slate of noted chefs and food luminaries across the globe, including David Lebovitz, Molly Yeh, Nisha Vora, and Zoë François, Sesame is a loving culinary tribute to the sesame seed: how it has transformed dishes, how it has been translated by different culinary cultures, and how it has tied people and places together through generations.