How to Eat Edamame as More than a Snack
Boiled and Stir Fried Beans with Soy Sauce and Garlic
Jan 31, 2009
Edamame is usually eaten as a snack, as a healthy alternative to potato chips. It can also be steamed, boiled, or stir fried, and eaten as a meal like any other bean.
Edamame are green soybeans which are rich in proteins, and vitamins A, B, and C. Edamame is a common snack in Japan and other Asian countries. It can be served as an appetizer with beer, and that it is typically eaten by squeezing the beans out of the pods with the fingers. It can be quite addictive when eaten in this manner.
In her 2005 article, "The Secret of Edamame: Soy snack is a yummy - and - healthy handful," published on MedicineNet.com, Dr. Elaine Magee calls edamame a "star legume," as it has only 120 calories and 9 grams of fiber. Its delicate taste can be complemented by adding garlic or soy sauce, or both.
Ingredients & Cooking Tips
- Edamame should be a proper green color and should be firm if buying fresh. Frozen edamame can also be used, in which case, it is thawed and then added to boiling water. Piercing the beans with a fork is a way to see if the desired tenderness has been reached. This original recipe takes the work out of shelling the edamame from the pod, as it focuses on frozen edamame. Boiling the edamame takes away its somewhat pungent smell.
- A few garlic cloves or some minced garlic can be added to an edamame stir fry, using peanut or sesame oil, or any cooking oil at hand. Use only a small amount of oil since sauteeing involves very little fat. Soy sauce can be added a few minutes into the stir frying process when the garlic is a light golden brown and no longer has a chance of spluttering.
- Edamame can also simply be simmered in soy sauce in a little water in order to prevent the edamame from sticking to the pan or burning. Cooking with water in this manner can in fact be healthier, as no oil is involved. The prepared edamame can then be added to the garlic being stir fried in a separate pan in a little oil.
Edamame in Soy Sauce with Garlic
- 1 cup edamame pods, or 1 small packet of frozen edamame, thawed
- 2 cloves of garlic, or 1/3 teaspoon of minced garlic
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 teaspoons of peanut or sesame oil, or any oil at hand
Directions:
- Add edamame to boiling water in medium saucepan. Boil for 8-10 minutes until tender, drain.
- Return the edame to the saucepan. Add soy sauce and the water. Simmer for 7-8 minutes, watching and stirring constantly.
- Add garllic to cooking oil on skillet, and turn on heat. Cook covered on medium heat in order to prevent possible spluttering.
- Remove from heat when garlic turns golden brown and gives out its unique aroma. Add prepared edamame and soy sauce mixture.
- Stir and serve immediately with steamed or fried rice, steamed or pan-fried dumplings, miso or other Asian soup, or salad with ginger dressing.
This cooked version of edamame yields 4 servings.
The copyright of the article How to Eat Edamame as More than a Snack in Asian Cuisine is owned by Sapna Nayyar-Pellicane. Permission to republish How to Eat Edamame as More than a Snack in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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