There�s no need to shout �Open sesame!� to get to the magical flavor of sesame seeds.

The slightly hard, flat, smooth and shiny creamy-white or black seeds have a nutlike smell and an agreeable nutty taste. The sesame seed plant, one of the first to be used for edible oil, is an annual herb having an oblong shaped pod which contains one of the finest condiments.

Add sesame seeds to cookie doughs, pie pastry, and yeast breads. Sprinkle over creamed spinach, buttered noodles, eggplant dishes, and mixed vegetable stir-fries. Blend with butter or mayonnaise to make a nutty spread for chicken, turkey, or tuna sandwiches.

And don�t forget they are rich in iron, protein, calcium, Vitamin E, dietary fibre and amounts of linoleic acid which reduce cholesterol levels.