How To Eat Edamame: Taste and Tips
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Edamame is a mini version of soybean, an equally proteinaceous, low-carb and gluten-free food that's popular in Asia, particularly Japan. Young and green, this soybean has been served as a side dish for ages either boiled or steamed, with just a sprinkle of salt.
The flavor, nutty and on the mild side, is what makes it appealing to many. Now, enjoyed globally, there are varieties of recipes where edamame is used. Some most liked recipes that highlight this beloved ingredient and can make your meals flavorful and nutritious are included here.
1. Edamame Beans-In The Pod
Enjoying edamame directly in the pod is the traditional way of eating. The simple preparation of these young soybeans brings out the best flavors, which include steaming or boiling. Further, these cooked beans are prepared in different ways, in modern recipes, which are described below:
How To Boil Edamame?
- Boil water in a pot, once the water starts boiling, add edamame.
- Continue boiling until edamame is tender.
- Drain them, sprinkle salt and serve warm.
- Tips: Add some aromatics to the water for a flavored taste.
How To Steam Edamame?
- Add water to a pot and let it boil.
- Add edamame pods to a steamer basket and put it over the pot(with boiling water).
- Cover the basket and let the pods steam until they are fully tender.
- Remove the pods from the basket and serve. Add salt if you want. Serve.
- Tips: You can also season the pods with spices and probably some chili flakes to create a spicy version.
Garlic Edamame
It is a signature version of edamame, having a rich aroma and flavor of garlic. Simple to prepare, garlic edamame is popular and a beloved side dish.
What's Required?: edamame, garlic, olive oil, salt, soy sauce
Instructions:
- The edamame is boiled at the beginning.
- In the skillet, the olive oil is added followed by the addition of crushed garlic.
- The boiled edamame is added and the whole dish is cooked until the covering of the bean is brown. You can serve garlic edamame with soy sauce.
Garlic Parmesan Edamame
The steamed/boiled edamame pods can also be given a creamy touch. Parmesan and garlic together make edamame rich, cheesy and garlicky.
What's Required? : edamame, garlic, olive oil, salt, parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- The boiled edamame is sauteed with garlic at first.
- At last, grated parmesan is added. For seasoning, add some salt and pepper and you're ready to serve this flavorful dish.
Spicy Edamame
For spicy lovers, it's best to create a fiery, savory dish out of edamame. The cooked edamame pods simply need a toss of chili-based sauce in this recipe.
Instructions:
- Prepare the spicy sauce by mixing soy sauce with chili paste, mayonnaise and sauteed garlic.
- Add boiled edamame to the sauce and toss it well.
- Add salt according to taste and eat it warm.
Edamame with Different Sauce
The edamame beans can also be prepared using other different sauces except soy sauce. Some common ones used include oyster sauce and a combination of soy and sesame sauce.
2. Crispy Air-Fried Edamame
A healthy option, air-frying provides perfect crispiness to edamame. Requiring minimal ingredients, the recipe is a great snack or appetizer for any occasion.
- Simply toss the edamame with oil and seasonings.
- Air fry the seasoned edamame, make sure to toss them once or twice while they are being cooked.
3. Roasted Edamame
Roasting edamame is an interesting way to make an irresistible snack. Following this recipe, you will get toasted edamame with a satisfying crunch.
- Make a seasoning mix by stirring oil, chili powder, salt and spices together.
- Toss edamame in the prepared mix.
- Take a baking dish and arrange edamame, make sure the distribution is sparse.
- Roast the edamame for 10 to 15 ones, until they turn brown. Stir once in between while the edamame is still in the oven.
4. Edamame Fried Rice
If there are dishes that perfectly represent a burst of textures, colors and flavors then edamame fried rice can make it to the list. Have leftover rice or not in the mood to cook something special? Simply get your wok off the pantry and start preparing this meal, we assure you will have a fulfilling meal.
Ingredients: cooked rice, oil, onion, garlic, shelled edamame, carrot, egg, fish sauce, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Start by preparing the rice. If you don’t have leftover rice, cook your rice and let it cool completely. Cold rice works perfectly for fried rice.
- Take any oil, sesame oil for best results, and sauté diced onion, garlic and carrots. Let them cook for a few minutes.
- Add the cooked edamame and then rice. Break any clumps of rice present.
- Add the soy sauce and salt for seasoning, toss the rice well.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions and serve hot.
5. Edamame Dip
A perfect way to enjoy the nuttiness of edamame and easy to whip up, edamame dip can be perfect for any gathering. It is a perfect healthy snack that is super customizable-add chili for heat or herbs for freshness.
Ingredients: shelled edamame, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, chili, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Cook the edamame either by boiling or steaming.
- Blend cooked edamame along with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, chili, and pepper. Remember, the amount of chili you are adding decides the spiciness of the dip. So, adjust it on the level of fiery kick you want. Make the consistency smooth, and add some water in cases, it turns out too thick.
- Now, it's turn for seasoning. Taste the dip and if needed, add some lemon juice or salt to balance the taste.
- Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, veggies sticks or crackers.
6. Edamame Salad
For all salad lovers out there, this recipe is like cherry on top. In the edamame salad, everything is included; edamame as protein, vegetables as fiber, and olive and sesame oils as healthy fats. Likewise, perfect dressing and with a few steps of preparation this delicious simple dish can be a great savior!
Ingredients: Cucumber, olives, tomatoes, boiled edamame with skin on, red onion (a perfect color addition)
For dressing preparation: Olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, honey, and ginger
Instructions:
- In a large bowl place cooked edamame, cherry tomatoes (cut them in a half), cucumber, olives, and red onion cut them into thin rounds.
- For a perfect dressing mix the ingredients in a separate bowl(which we have mentioned above) and pour it on the salad and mix it again.
- For more flavor and zest top with cilantro or parsley (as you wish). The best part of this salad is you can enjoy it cold or warm.
Avocado Salad with Edamame
The extra addition of avocado to the edamame salad turns it creamy and nutritionally wholesome. Along with the creaminess, zesty, savory flavors and fresh, crisp vegetables add color as well as freshness to each bite.
Ingredients: lettuce romaine/ spring greens, avocados, edamame, lemon, flax seed, almonds, cilantro, green onion & For vinaigrette: lemon, honey, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin powder, olive oil
Instructions:
- Start by cooking edamame, avocados are peeled and sliced, also, chop the greens.
- Combine the greens, avocado, edamame, cilantro, green onions, flaxseed and almonds in a bowl.
- A vinaigrette is prepared by mixing the ingredients lemon, honey, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin powder and olive oil.
- The vinaigrette is poured to the bowl and bowl is tossed so every ingredient gets properly covered.
- The salad is now ready to be served.
Spicy Edamame Chicken Salad
This another version of edamame salad has a great addition, the chicken.
Ingredients: chicken tenders, shelled edamame, vinegar, sesame oil, honey, chili paste, olive oil, minced garlic, napa cabbage, green onion, cilantro leaves, basil leaves, roasted peanuts for some extra crunch
Instructions:
- The chicken tenders are marinated in the mix of-vinegar and sesame oil.
- For the dressing, combine-vinegar and chili paste.
- In a bowl, mix shelled edamame (cooked), napa cabbage, green onion, cilantro leaves and basil leaves. Grill the chicken tenders and add them to the mix.
- The dressing is then drizzled over the ingredients, after adding the seasoning, the salad is tossed.
- Use roasted peanuts for garnishing.
7. Edamame Burger
Vegetarians don't have to stick to black bean burgers forever! These other beans, edamame, are also equally delicious in burgers.
Ingredients: white onion, cloves, cooked edamame, carrots, cilantro, bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, eggs, pepper and burger toppings
Instructions:
- Cook edamame and mash them.
- Mix all the burger ingredients viz. breadcrumbs (or oats), finely chopped onions, grated carrots, cilantro and spices in a bowl
- Add an egg as a binder, if you are a vegan, opt for flax seeds.
- Season with salt, pepper and other herbs.
- Give shape to the patties and cook them by grilling.
- Assemble the burger and top with lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and your favorite sauces.
8. Edamame and Mushroom Stir Fry
Edamame and mushroom stir fry need less than half an hour of cooking, and within a few minutes, you get a delicious meal. After preparation, you can serve it with rice, in an Asian way.
Ingredients: edamame beans, King Oyster mushrooms, tofu, ginger, peppers, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, cooking oil, salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Clean and dice oyster mushrooms into cubes.
- Mash the tofu and then stir fry.
- Sautee mushrooms in the same pan. Add garlic next.
- Add ginger, pepper and garlic and fry them for a few minutes.
- Prepare a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar and add it to the pan.
- Add cooked edamame beans and toss the mixture.
- Season as needed followed by the addition of corn starch slurry.
- Mix well and serve.
9. Edamame Noodle Bowl
We all love noodles and getting a recipe that includes edamame can only get better. You can either make a warm bowl of noodles or a refreshing one using this recipe.
Ingredients: noodles, julienned carrots, radishes, and finely shredded cabbage, sliced pepper and green onion, edamame, sesame seeds
For sauce: vinegar, miso, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, grated ginger, minced garlic
Instructions:
- Cook the noodles as instructed.
- Cook edamame.
- Add all the vegetables to the bowl.
- Prepare sauce by blending the sauce ingredients: vinegar, miso, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, grated ginger, minced garlic
- Add noodles, and edamame to the bowl of veggies. Now it's time to pour in the sauce.
- Toss the bowl till all the ingredients get covered in the sauce.
- Add to bowls and serve by garnishing with sesame seeds.
For a soupy one, cook all the noodle ingredients in vegetable broth and serve hot. No need of the sauce here!
10. Edamame Avocado Soup
Edamame avocado soup can be perfect and refreshing for summer. Vibrant green and aromatic, this is a must-try dish on a hot day.
Ingredients: edamame, avocado, sesame oil, onion, garlic, celery, ginger, vegetable broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, basil, salt
Instructions:
- In a pot, sautee onion, garlic, celery and ginger.
- Add edamame beans to the pot and let it cook.
- Pour in the vegetable broth.
- As the mix starts boiling, add soy sauce, oyster sauce and salt.
- Add avocados, and cook for a few minutes.
- Blend until smooth, garnish with basil leaves and serve.
How To Prepare Frozen Edamame?
It's very important to cook the frozen form of edamame with proper guidance, otherwise else, you might get them mushy! Here are some ways on how to prepare both the pods and unshelled types of frozen edamame:
Frozen Pods
- Boil water in a large pot, season the water with salt.
- Now, read the label and know whether the pods are fully cooked, partially cooked or uncooked.
- For fully cooked edamame pods. boil for around 1 minute. Here, you just need to defrost the beans in boiling water.
- For partially cooked edamame pods, boil the edamame pods for around 2 to 3 minutes.
- For uncooked edamame, around 5 minutes of cooking is enough. If the edamame beans are large in size, extra minutes may be needed.
Frozen Shelled Edamame
- Boil water in a big pot.
- Take a bowl and put the frozen shelled edamame in the bowl.
- Add hot, fully boiled water to the bowl, make sure all the seeds sink.
- Cover the bowl and let the edamame sit for about 5 minutes.
- As the time passes, try an edamame to see if it's tender, if not, wait for a few more minutes.
- To avoid the edamame from being mushy, taste in between each minute.
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