Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

Why people make this paste

Walnuts are rich in phospholipids — exactly the kind of fat the brain craves — which is why the kernel is nicknamed a “brain food,” and why children can use it often in cooking. Black sesame is a fine, strengthening food traditionally valued for nourishing the blood, moistening the bowels, generating fluids and supporting the hair. Put the two together and you get a warm dessert paste traditionally taken to support memory, ease early greying, and soften a dry stool.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits people wanting to support memory and the brain; also traditionally used for the frail elderly with constipation, nervous exhaustion, or weak constitution. Good for children in modest amounts.
• Nut pastes are high in sugar and fat — keep portions small. For babies under about 7 months / without back teeth, grind the walnut to powder and offer only a little.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Walnut kernels (he tao ren): rich in brain-friendly fats; traditionally a “brain food.”
• Black sesame (hei zhi ma): traditionally nourishes the blood, moistens the bowel, and supports the hair.
• Rice (bai mi): thickens the paste and is gentle on the stomach; black or red brown rice makes it even more nourishing.

Ingredients (3–4 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Walnut kernels	~75 g (2 taels)	Chop; skin can stay on
Black sesame	~38 g (1 tael)	Dry-roast until fragrant
White rice	3 tbsp	Or black/red brown rice for more benefit
Brown / red sugar	to taste

Method

1. Chop the walnut kernels; dry-roast the black sesame until fragrant; soak the rice in clean water until soft.
2. Put all ingredients in a blender with 4 bowls of water and blend to a paste.
3. Pour into a pot and cook, stirring, until it comes to a boil and thickens to your liking.
4. Add brown sugar, stir until dissolved, and serve.

Bro Niu’s tips

If you swap the white rice for black or red brown rice, it is even more nourishing. This sweet paste also suits the frail elderly with constipation, those with nervous exhaustion, and people with heart concerns. For a child, you need not peel the walnut, but do chop and lightly roast it.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Amy love): Can a 7-month-old baby have walnut-sesame paste or almond paste? And soy milk? Bro Niu: A 7-month-old can have walnut-sesame paste or almond paste, but 3–4 tablespoons is enough, because nut pastes — though nourishing — are high in sugar and fat and shouldn’t be overdone. Soy milk is fine too.

• Q (kitty): Can a 16-month-old eat walnut? Bro Niu: A 16-month-old has no back teeth, so the walnut should be ground to powder and mixed into a paste; a small amount is beneficial.

• Q (ching): I have stomach heat and a dry “liver” — can I eat this? Bro Niu: Yes, you can; just skip the dry-roasting step.

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Published September 9, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.