EDAMAME (Japanese Soybeans)

The Japanese call it edamame, but for the none Japanese, it sweet beans, vegetable soybeans, beer beans, green soybeans, garden soybeans, immature soybeans and even edible soybeans.  But one thing for sure, when it comes to soy, edamame is the real thing. 

In Japan, edamame is a popular snack food.  But it was only recently that America come to learn about the wonders of this beans.  The combination of great taste, ease of preparation and excellent nutrient value is making it popular with people of all ages.  Now, we are bringing it to Manila with fresh edamame.

Edamame's many health benefits is also something which is worth looking into. The soybean is a complete protein containing all of the amino acid building blocks. It also provides an antioxidant boost from plant chemicals called isoflavones. 

Most Japanese grocers in town offers frozen edamame.  This normally result to a less than full edamame flavor.  That is why we decided to present you a better option - Fresh Field Edamame (Fresh Japanese Soybeans).   

The Fresh Field Edamame is farm fresh and definitely non-GMO.  To achieve best edamame flavor, the time between harvest to product distribution is only a fraction of a day.  
 

How to Prepare

 (Cooking times may vary on method and container used)

Stove Top
1. Rinse fresh edamame.

2. Put edamame pods into briskly boiling water.

3. Cook to second boil 2-5 minutes or until tender.  At this stage, you would normally notice some pods opening up. Do not overcook.
4. Drain water, let cool, sprinkle with salt and serve.

   

Steamer
1. Rinse fresh edamame.

2. Place edamame pods in steamer basket.
3. Place basket in saucepan with water below basket.
4. Cover, bring to a full boil and steam about 5 minutes.
5. Sprinkle on some salt and serve.

        

Eating Directions:
Take soybean pod by the stem, place between teeth, strip soybeans from the pod with your teeth and discard empty pods.

 
 

Soy and Health 

There are numerous medical journals, studies and web sites that discuss about the numerous health benefits of soybeans and we have included it in our consumer corner link.  There is no double soybeans can do the following :

*  helps reduce risk of heart disease;

*  improves bone health;

*  reduce the effects of PMS;

*  help reduce certain types of cancer.

However, we are not suggesting that soybeans is a cure all  food.   To achieve a better health, we believe it should be taken together with balanced, appropriate diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and all the other components that add up to an excellent healthy lifestyle.

 

Edamame Recipe

Edamame is a popular beer companion but it certainly has more culinary use than as a appetizer.  Combined with baby corn, carrots, pea pods, bamboo shoots and mushroom, it can be a stir fry vegetable mix.  To be on the fusion cooking side, it can be added to soups, salads and even paella.  As a matter of fact, it is a great pea substitute.

Here are two simple ideas you can try with Fresh Field Edamame.

 

Roasted Edamame

2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
10 oz. of ready to eat edamame

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In small bowl, stir together oil, basil, chili powder, onion salt, cumin, paprika and black pepper. Drizzle mixture over soybeans and toss to coat well. Arrange beans in a single layer in a shallow baking dish.

Roast, uncovered, for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring once, until soybeans begin to brown. Serve hot as a vegetable side dish or cooled as a snack. Refrigerate any leftovers

Makes 2 to 3 servings. 

   Herbed Edamame

2 cups cooked and shelled edamame
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh chervil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Salt and black pepper to taste

Toss edamame beans with remaining ingredients over medium heat for about one minute.

Variation:  If you don't have all of the herbs called for, used more of the ones you do have. Even one fresh herb adds delightful flavor to edamame. Try to avoid using dried herbs in this recipe. 

Makes 4 side-dish servings.

 

 

 

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