These beans are incredibly delicious and you should always have them in your freezer
Yes, they’re healthy and therefore totally on-trend, but shelled edamame (or soybeans) are always a good idea as far as we’re concerned. In a bowl of steaming ramen soup, as a simple meal with some rice, fried egg, and furikake: this really is something you should always have a bag of in the freezer. But there are a few things to remember:
Because you can do all sorts of things with them, the freezer bags at my house disappear fast. And they’re not only useful in Asian cuisine; they’re truly a very versatile bean. Just make sure to cook them properly first!
Raw isn’t necessarily healthier
Because raw soybeans aren’t good for you, as we wrote earlier. And in any case, the ‘fresh’ beans you see in the refrigerated section of the supermarket usually aren’t the most appetizing and are often already grayish in color. And expensive! You’re better off heading to the freezer section of an Asian toko, where they’re much cheaper and look considerably fresher. Another advantage is that those frozen beans are precooked. You still need to steam them briefly at home, but because of that short(er) steaming time, they often retain their beautiful green color. Allow six minutes of steaming time; they’ll still be wonderfully crisp and fresh.
From soup bowl to dipping bowl
And then you can really let loose! The aforementioned ramen soup is a fantastic vehicle for them, but you can also quickly make a savory dip with, for example, some grated ginger, garlic, and sesame oil (using a stick blender and a spoonful of the steaming water). Or go for a Mediterranean dip with some oregano, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil, served with a bowl of briefly blanched vegetables.
Time to stir-fry
Another delicious option is to give the beans a quick stir-fry, adding a spoonful of sriracha or hoisin sauce shortly before the end. And if you really want to go for Oriental Chic, add a generous spoonful of that pricey but absolutely delicious XO sauce. On a budget? Get the cheap cousin, sacha sauce, for a fraction of the price. Add a small splash of water to the pan as well, and toss until all the beans are coated in that deliciousness.
Roast them
Just like with other frozen vegetables such as frozen green beans or frozen broccoli, roasting them in the oven at a high temperature is a very good idea. No need to thaw them beforehand! First toss them in a bowl with oil and whatever spices you like (from European to Eastern flavors), then spread them over a scorching-hot baking sheet. Check after fifteen minutes to see whether they’re hot inside, and let them continue roasting until they have a beautifully crisp coating.
Have we convinced you? You can pick up a bag like this at the toko for less than two euros, and it’ll keep you going for days, so what are you waiting for?!
Read also:
- Raw vegetables? Skip these if you want to stay reasonably healthy
- Italian pasta versus Asian noodles: what are the differences?
- These wines go well with Asian food
