School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Sesame Bread

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How to Make Sesame Bread

SERVINGS: 6
PREP TIME: 360 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 60 MINUTES

STYLE: WESTERN
PREPARATION: BAKED

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Make the Sponge First Rising (one hour)

1T Yeast
2T Honey
1c Absolutely lukewarm water
2c Spelt Flour

Mix the honey with the absolutely lukewarm water. Dissolve the yeast in the honey water to activate it. Wait until the yeast is bubbling and frothing up (about 20 minutes). Add the flour and whip the sponge with an egg beater, about 100 strokes. Cover and let the dough rise for 40 minutes, or until double in size. Covering is important because it helps the yeast hold its heat and quickens rising time.

Hint: Bread making is yoga: Right-handed folks should use their left hand and left-handed folks their right. The opposite hand balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Caution: Cooked honey is considered sticky and toxic in Ayurveda, clogging the channels. We used honey here assuming it gets digested by the yeast. The safer option is agave syrup.

2. Complete the batter Second Rising (one hour)

1c Ground sesame seed (use a coffee grinder)
2c Spelt flour
2t Salt
2c Additional flour for kneading

Mix in the ground sesame, salt, and flour into the batter. Continue adding flour until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Strengthen the dough by following these important rules: 1) Knead the dough at least 10 minutes or until it is very springy; 2) Never cut or break the dough after step one above; 3) Always fold, knead, or stir in the same direction to lengthen the strands of protein.

To knead the dough: 1) If the dough is sticky, sprinkle the counter surface and dough completely with some additional flour. 2) Then, pull the far side of the dough over the near side, completely covering it plus some. 3) Push both wrists into the dough away from you. 4) Turn the dough by one quarter. Repeat these steps for at least 10 minutes or until very springy.

Clean the bread bowl and oil the surface. Place the dough in the bowl and cover. Let it rise for 40 minutes or until doubled in size.

3) Third Rising (one hour)
Punch the dough down. Cover and let rise another 40 minutes or until doubled in size.

4) Fourth Rising (one and a half hours)
Punch the dough down. Oil the muffin pan. I use muffin pans because the serving size is perfect and there are plenty of crispy edges. Fill the muffin holes half way. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Let rise for 20 minutes or until doubled in size. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Bread is about sharing life. Autumn is a time of sharing, as people gather together to warm each other as the days get shorter and cooler. This nuturing bread recipe reminds us to revel in the togetherness of colder weather. Thanksgiving is on its way, and the joy and celebration of the winter holidays are right around the corner. Baking breads grounds us, easing the transition from the burn-out of late summer to the restful nature of the chilly months. If you can accept and embrace the flow of the seasons, there is no reason to fear the illnesses that come from rejecting the needs of our bodies during seasonal change. If you are able to digest grains, grains build ojas, which is the essence of all bodily tissues. Ojas is Ayurveda's word for nourishing. Ojas builds heartiness, which strengthens your resiliency to disease. Ojas gets depleted by the hot rays of the sun, which dry bodily tissues. Rebuilding ojas in the fall is a great way to prepare for winter.

Spelt flour is a special kind of wheat flour with less gluten, so it can be easier to digest than regular wheat. Sesame provides rich ojas-building oils and is warming for colder temperatures of the fall.

All breads are drying and soak up precious digestive juices in the stomach. We recommend hydrating this bread first by dipping it in a sambar soup, or a delicious seasonal soup of your choice. Or, generously slather the bread with ghee.

WHAT IS SESAME BREAD?

I've had a vision of light, fluffy-fresh baked bread for several years, of wholesome goodness without the stickiness of high-gluten wheat flours. After many experiments, I finally spent a morning sunrise re-reading the famous Tassajara Bread Book looking for hidden hints I might have missed. It had been several years since the first time I thumbed through its contemplative reflections on folding hands & kneading dough. This recipe is modeled after Tassajara Bread Recipe #1.

September sesame bread recipe was also built with hints from many cooks from Virginia to New Mexico. For example, Frank Cook taught me to activate the yeast in honey. Two hidden hints from Tassajara were notablewhipping the sponge and strengthening the dough, explained below. Golden brown, breath, bread of lifebaking bread is a quiet act in embodying a spiritual life. Welcome.

Makes 6+ muffins. Takes one hour of work and six hours of waiting, meditating, or sitting on the porch.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Sesame Bread Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Sesame Bread' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY

TASTES
Taste Help

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

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DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating Pitta aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Crunchy

CRUNCHY

Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Sesame Bread
Help
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

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,
Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

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,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

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Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

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,
Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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,
Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

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,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

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Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

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,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

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Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

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,
Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

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Promotes Virility

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Encourages virility and potency.

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,
Builds Semen

BUILDS-SEMEN

Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.

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,
Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

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Muscle Tonic

MUSCLE-TONIC

Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.

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Constituents:
Calcium

CALCIUM

Calcium nourishes bones and muscles. A muscle cell is activated when calcium enters the cell. It relaxes when the calcium is secreted.

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,
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

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,
Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

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, Protein, Zinc,
Phytates

PHYTATES

Phytates prevent absorption of nutrients. They are commonly found in all seeds, including nuts, grains, and beans. Sprouting greatly reduces phytate content, as well as long, slow cooking with vinegar.

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,
Inositol

INOSITOL

Inositol is an alcohol sugar made naturally in the human body from glucose. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabilism in the liver). It affects a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters, steroid, growth factors and water.

SEE ALL 'INOSITOL' FOODS / HERBS

, Carbohydrate, Fats, Sodium,
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

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,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

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Foods with a Similar Nature to Sesame Bread

Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-fertility, Stimulates-energy, Builds-semen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common

Builds-semen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-virility, Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-fertility, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Buffalo Milk

Buffalo Milk has these Actions in Common

Promotes-virility, Demulcent, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Makes-you-tired, Promotes-fertility, Soothes-throat, Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Almonds

Almonds has these Actions in Common

Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-semen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach

LEARN MORE

Lamb

Lamb has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Strengthens-resolve, Makes-you-tired, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Pork

Pork has these Actions in Common

Makes-you-tired, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Strengthens-resolve

LEARN MORE

Sesame Oil

Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

Builds-stamina, Promotes-fertility, Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-semen, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Whole Wheat Flour

Whole Wheat Flour has these Actions in Common

Builds-stamina, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Calms-heart, Nutritive, Demulcent, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Cream of Wheat

Cream of Wheat has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Promotes-virility, Builds-stamina, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Calms-heart, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

White Flour (wheat)

White Flour (wheat) has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Promotes-virility, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Calms-heart, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Eggs

Eggs has these Actions in Common

Builds-semen, Nutritive, Builds-stamina, Promotes-virility, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Sesame Bread

Bala

Bala has these Actions in Common

Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Builds-semen, Builds-stamina, Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility

LEARN MORE

Shatavari

Shatavari has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Soothes-throat, Builds-semen, Calms-heart, Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Soothes-throat, Builds-semen, Calms-heart

LEARN MORE

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Strengthens-resolve, Blood-tonic, Builds-semen, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Damiana

Damiana has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Strengthens-resolve, Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-fertility, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Builds-semen, Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Ashwagandha Arishta

Ashwagandha Arishta has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Builds-semen, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Strengthens-resolve, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic

LEARN MORE

Vata Shirodhara Oil

Vata Shirodhara Oil has these Actions in Common

Calms-heart, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Strengthens-resolve

LEARN MORE

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

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About John Joseph Immel

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Sesame Bread'

Do you like 'sesame bread'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'sesame bread'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewhalf start review(4.50 out of 5 stars) 4 ratings, 169 likes
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You may leaven bread with baking powder, soda, etc - however bread in general aggravates candida, including gluten free options...
I want to be gluten free so I will be trying this with a gluten free flour combo made from several different flours: rice, tapioca, quinoa, amaranth. I like the idea of the sesame seeds in the recipe so I will try it.
- Patti Cochran, Walnut creek, CA
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, 09-24-13 (Reply)
Yeast is ok in Ayurveda. In general, everything has the potential to be medicine in Ayurveda, just as everything has the potential to be poison. We always ask - for whom, when and how much to determine when something is medicine vs poison.
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ
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, 08-05-19 (Reply)
I'd like to make this for my family bit my son has celiacs. Is there a flour combination or brand like measure for measure that I can use to replace the spelt?
- Erin , 04-06-22 (Reply)
Hi Erin, great question! This list might be helpful: https://bit.ly/3seU4Hf :)
- Katie Clinton, Ferndale, sligo, AL
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, 05-05-22 (Reply)

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