Monday, August 17, 2009

How to Cook Edamame (Soybeans)

“Mom and Dad said their soybeans are ready and we can have some if we want,” Husband said.

“Why in the world would we want soybeans?” I said, thinking of all the things we buy that are made from soybeans like soy foam insulation (hey, I’m still tinkering with sealing air leaks in The Condo) and not thinking about actually cooking and eating the soybeans, like, well, beans. Ironic, because we regularly eat a large variety of beans.

Husband gives me an exasperated look, “Soybeans are edamame Lisa!”

Oh. I didn’t know that.

Did I ever mention that edamame are one of my favorite snacks and something I introduced Husband to early in our relationship?

I feel stupid. Oops.


Needless to say, I made it a point to steal as many soybeans from my in-law’s garden as possible visit my adoring in-laws. Actually the adoring part is true. They are lovely people. And my father in-law buys me power tools for Christmas. That puts them at the top of Santa’s Nice list. No lie.

So now I have a big bunch of fresh edamame – how do I cook them?

How to Cook Fresh Edamame (Soybeans)



You will need
Colander
Pot and lid
Water
1 Teaspoon of salt
A stove

1. Remove the ends and center “string” from the bean pods (optional.)
2. Wash any dirt off of the beans in colander under running water.
Add 1 teaspoon of salt to a pot of water and bring it to a rolling boil.
Tip: If you put a lid on the pot of water it will come to a boil more quickly and save energy!
Remove the lid from the pot of boiling water (if needed.)
3. Add the edamame pods to the boiling salt water.
4. Boil the edamame pods for 5 minutes. The beans should still be firm; if they are mushy it is a sign that you overcooked the beans (blech.)
5. Drain the beans and let the edamame cool.
6. Once the beans are cool, pop those beans out of the pods, dip them in a little bit of salt (optional), and get to eating!

Note: Don’t eat the edamame pods. They taste nasty! (Guess how I know.) The pods will make an excellent addition to a compost pile if you compost.

4 comments:

Pop and Ice said...

Hmmm....that seems to be how I cook ALL fresh beans that I get. Except we eat the pods as well. I've never tried edamame, but maybe I'll get some in one of my organic veggie deliveries this summer.

Down Comforter said...

Sounds easy enough! Now to find some soybeans growing in a neighbor's/friend's/family's garden!

Melissa said...

Mmmmm... I love edamame!! I usually just buyg the frozen ones and stick them in the micro with a little water. How nice that you have fresh!!

joanne said...

Really appreciate this. Since we've enjoyed the frozen beans as a nutritious snack, I decided to grow them in my garden...first time! Now that the beans are forming I didn't know how to actually eat them! Glad to see I don't have to dry them first. Thank you!

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