Sautéed Sesame Vegetables and Rice
Since joining the Westfield Area Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), I’ve been experimenting with different ways to cook my veggies. I recently discovered sesame oil and it’s quickly become one of my go-tos. This recipe uses simple, healthy ingredients that end up packed with flavor. It’s also super versatile, so feel free to make this with whatever veggies you have in the house, just don’t skimp on the sesame oil and seasonings. You’ll need to stir the veggies every so often to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan, but aside from that, this is the kind of recipe that allows for some multitasking - especially during a busy weeknight. Enjoy!
This recipe first appeared in my biweekly recipe column, Mixing with Zest, in The Westfield Leader on August 5, 2021, page 14. Follow @MixingwithZest for my latest recipes.
Ingredients:
~4 Tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons sesame oil
1 medium eggplant
2 zucchini
1 bell pepper (any color)
1 small onion
2 large carrots
2 sweet potatoes
1 cup kale (I rinse my kale leaves and tear them into small, bite-size pieces)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional: sesame seeds for topping
Optional: chopped peanuts for topping
Optional: melted peanut butter for drizzling on top
Directions:
Pour the olive oil and sesame oil into a large frying pan (I like to use one that’s a little deeper because you want to make sure all your veggies will fit without falling out).
Dice all your veggies and place them into the frying pan.
Place the pan over low heat and add your seasonings (feel free to adjust according to your taste).
Sauté until the veggies are soft and lightly browned, stirring often so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. (I like to sauté my veggie for ~30 minutes).
While your veggies are cooking, make your rice and set it aside. I love to use Basmati rice for this recipe.
To serve, place rice in the bottom of a bowl or plate and top with veggies! If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can top with a little melted peanut butter and sesame seeds.