An amazing plant-based, vegan-friendly, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free Chinese Sesame Sauce recipe that makes approximately 3 servings, and takes about 5-10 minutes to prepare, with no additional cook time.
Chinese food is a pretty unhealthy delicacy that people like myself can't enjoy most of the time. Much like I discussed in my Chinese Sesame Pumfu recipe, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a ubiquitous yet quite toxic food additive usually used to enhance the flavor of foods. Monosodium Glutamate table salt from the common amino acid glutamic acid is one of the main ingredients; hence sodium is in the name. Monosodium Glutamate is made by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, and molasses, meaning it is filled with salt and sugar, both things we should be limiting. Unfortunately, despite plenty of reports to the FDA of adverse events following consuming MSG, the FDA still considers it safe despite the various forms of toxicity it has been linked to and thoroughly discussed in scientific journals. According to the Mayo Clinic:
MSG is also a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," but its use remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label (1).
To learn more regarding The Truth About Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), click here.
Then, of course, almost all Chinese sauces are made with soy sauce, and although soybeans do have some health benefits, we must remember that most non-organic soy products are brimming with GMOs, causing less nutritional value and more toxic effects due to the chemicals involved in the genetic modification process. Soybeans contain compounds like phytate, which may interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals crucial for vegan and plant-based dietary demands. These same anti-nutrient compounds may also cause digestive issues due to a reduction in the gut's barrier functions resulting in inflammation that causes these digestive problems. To learn more regarding The Truth About Soy Products, click here.
I used to love Chinese food, but it wasn't usually a safe idea with a soy allergy, and now, being plant-based, it's a definite no-go. So when I was craving sesame chicken, I figured I'd make the dish myself, but of course, a plant-based version made with Foodie's Pumfu since that is a soy-free tofu alternative. So instead, I made my own. Check out my full Chinese Sesame Pumfu recipe, as this is just a sauce recipe. This sauce recipe is vegan-friendly, plant-based, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and makes approximately two servings of sesame sauce when added to Pumpkin Seed Tofu Alternative (Pumfu).
What's your favorite way to enjoy Chinese food?
