Asian Noodle SKillet: Flavor Impact?

[jrstephens]

Does it add a lot of flavor? I am looking at the Asian Noodle SKillet Recipe. 2 T jsut does not seem like anything that would much change the flavor. If it would not make a big difference that would be something we would not have to ask Host to buy for just 2 T.

 

[chefann]

It does add flavor. It's nutty-tasting. When there's a specialty ingredient like that (sesame oil is also used in the Mandarin Pasta Salad from a couple years ago), I buy a bottle and take it with me. Same with fresh Parmesan cheese (too many hosts get the green can stuff - yuk!).

 

[chefjeanine]

It's very flavorful. It does need to be refrigerated. You might want to purchase a bottle to bring when you do your Asian Noodle Skillet shows. I do this with poppy seeds, garlic cloves and vinegar for certain recipes. . .just easier for me and I know that some people will never use those items again.

 

[jrstephens]

Do yall get a certain brand? I usually use store brand oil, but have never used this one before.

 

[chefann]

I have a little bottle that I picked up from Trader Joe's (of course). But you can probably find it in the Asian department of the supermarket. There probably won't be a store brand, per say, but it's not made by Wesson, either.

 

[jrstephens]

Same with fresh Parmesan cheese (too many hosts get the green can stuff - yuk!).

I had this happen the first time I did the Colosal Chopped Salad. I put it on the BOTTOM! We had a good laugh when someone asked where was the FRESh parm though!

 

[jrstephens]

I am making my Walmart list out right now. I remember an Asian section down one of the aisles.

I am a littler nervous to try it b/c normally I do not eat Asian or Oriental foods.

 

[chefjeanine]

You may not be able to find a store brand. . .I don't have any idea what brand I've purchased in the past.

 

[mpkegley]

Personally, I have not been able to find the toasted sesame oil. I can only find the plain sesame oil. Does it make that much of a difference? I really would like to try this recipe, but was worried about that.

 

[tlennhoff]

If you go to a natural food store you should be able to find toasted. I found a couple brands including eden foods.

Jen, check out the organic/natural section as well as the asian.

 

[chefann]

I think the plain just has a less-intense flavor. Like raw nuts vs. toasted nuts.

 

[mpkegley]

I wondered about that, but we do not have a natural foods store where I live. Our Kroger does have a little natural foods section, I will have to go check that out and see if I can find it there. Thanks.

 

[dcypcar.chef]

As long as you don't use light sesame oil you will get a lot of flavor out of that
2 Tablespoons. The light just doesn't have much flavor. Try looking in the international section of any major grocery store. I've been able to find it no matter where I've lived.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I had regular sesame oil at home when I made this recipe & tried that. I thought it tasted really good!

 

[KellyTheChef]

The stuff I could find at Wally World just says Sesame Oil (not toasted) but it IS darker in color and had a great flavor in the pork noodle skillet. Perhaps it IS toasted and just doesn't say? It was only about $3 for a 5 oz. bottle. The name brand is Imperial Dragon and it was in the chinese section. (The other oil that I had DID say toasted, but it smelled rancid so I tossed it. I am SURE that I paid at least double when I bought that a couple of years ago for use in our Mandarin Chicken Salad...which, BTW, that is a SUPER recipe as well!)

 

[cat]

It's very flavorful. It does need to be refrigerated. You might want to purchase a bottle to bring when you do your Asian Noodle Skillet shows. I do this with poppy seeds, garlic cloves and vinegar for certain recipes. . .just easier for me and I know that some people will never use those items again.

I'm Chinese and I cook frequently with sesame oil. I usually get it from the Asian grocery store (There are several by me!) Anyway, just wanted to say that I've never refrigerated sesame oil and it keeps for a LONG time. I did a quick search online and found the following in about.com:

Sesame oil, on the other hand, is remarkably stable and will keep for years without turning rancid, even in hot climates.

I don't know if it'll change the flavor of the oil, but I think it will turn cloudy...

Just a thought...

 

[chefann]

I've had mine for several years also, and keep it in the pantry. It's dark in there, which helps it keep, but it's just room temp.

 

[JAE]

I found some Spectrum Natural Brand toasted sesame oil at D & W. It was $6.99 for 16 oz. D & W usually has unusual ingredients when I can't find them at Meijer. I don't shop at Walmart, but I'd love to know if they actually carry toasted sesame seed oil. It's used also in the sauce for the Pan-Asian Meatballs on pg 9 of the new SBRC. I did find Rice vinegar in the Asian section of Meijer and regular sesame seed oil.
I seem to be having a hard time focusing when it comes to making these new recipes (new to me). I didn't even use the toasted sesame seed oil because I forgot about the sauce! Oh well, live and learn.

 

[jrstephens]

I found Imperial Dragon at Walmart tonight too. $2.24 plus tax for 5 oz bottle. I will be trying this over the weekend, maybe tomorrow night since I will be going shopping on Saturday.

 

[chefjeanine]

I'm Chinese and I cook frequently with sesame oil. I usually get it from the Asian grocery store (There are several by me!) Anyway, just wanted to say that I've never refrigerated sesame oil and it keeps for a LONG time. I did a quick search online and found the following in about.com:

Sesame oil, on the other hand, is remarkably stable and will keep for years without turning rancid, even in hot climates.

I don't know if it'll change the flavor of the oil, but I think it will turn cloudy...

Just a thought...

Cat,

Thanks for the info. Maybe it was the walnut oil that I had that went bad so quickly.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I LOVE sesame oil I use it in my fried rice, hot and sour soup, ginger salad dressings & everything chinese that I stir fry.
I keep it in the pantry too, once DH refrigerated it and it almost turned to a solid it was gunky.
I use Imperial dragon

 

[chefmelody]

I could NOT find sesame oil in my local grocery store! I've never had trouble finding anything there. I looked in both the Asian section and the oils... nothing! I think I'll go to the little Asian market down the road and see what I can find there.