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What Is Tempeh?
If you’ve been paying attention to the latest food trends, you may have heard of tempeh. But what is tempeh exactly? Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made by fermenting cooked soybeans. It’s a great source of protein and dietary fiber, and it’s easy to prepare once you know what to do. So let’s take a closer look at what tempeh is and how to cook it.
Tempeh has a firm, chewy texture and a slightly nutty flavor that’s similar to mushrooms. It’s a great alternative to meat for vegetarians and vegans, and it can be used in a variety of dishes. Tempeh is also high in prebiotics, which help promote healthy digestion.
How to Cook Tempeh
Cooking tempeh is easy and can be done in a variety of ways. The most popular way to prepare tempeh is to steam it. To steam tempeh, simply place the tempeh in a steamer basket over boiling water and let it steam for 10 minutes. This will soften the tempeh and make it easier to work with.
Once the tempeh is steamed, it can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be pan-fried, baked, grilled, or even added to soups and stews. Tempeh can also be used as a substitute for ground beef in tacos, burgers, and other dishes.
Tips for Cooking Tempeh
If you’re new to cooking tempeh, here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Start by marinating the tempeh in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and ginger. This will give the tempeh more flavor and make it more tender.
2. If you’re pan-frying tempeh, make sure to use a non-stick skillet and pre-heat the skillet before adding the tempeh.
3. If you’re baking tempeh, pre-heat the oven to 350°F and bake for 15-20 minutes.
4. For a quick and easy meal, try slicing the tempeh into thin strips and tossing it with a sauce of your choice.
5. To add more flavor to your tempeh dish, try adding herbs and spices like garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and cumin.
A Few Tempeh Recipes to Try
Now that you know how to cook tempeh, here are a few recipes to try:
• Teriyaki Tempeh Bowl: Marinate tempeh in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Then pan-fry the tempeh and serve over a bed of brown rice and veggies.
• Tempeh Fajitas: Marinate tempeh strips in olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and cumin. Then sauté the tempeh with bell peppers and serve in warm tortillas.
• Tempeh Tacos: Marinate tempeh in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and chili powder. Then bake the tempeh and serve in tacos with your favorite toppings.
• Tempeh Burgers: Mix together cooked tempeh, breadcrumbs, garlic, and herbs. Form the mixture into patties and bake or grill until golden brown.
Storage and Nutritional Information
When it comes to storage, tempeh should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to two weeks. It’s also a good idea to freeze tempeh if you won’t be using it right away.
Nutritionally, tempeh is a great source of protein and dietary fiber. It’s also high in iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and other essential nutrients. One serving of tempeh (3 ounces) contains approximately:
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Protein | 13g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Iron | 3mg |
| Calcium | 60mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4mcg |
Conclusion
Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It has a firm, chewy texture and a slightly nutty flavor. It’s high in protein and dietary fiber, and it’s easy to prepare once you know how. You can steam, bake, fry, or grill tempeh and use it in a variety of dishes. It’s a great alternative to meat for vegetarians and vegans. So don’t be afraid to give tempeh a try – it’s sure to be a hit in your kitchen! As they say, “If you can’t be a sunflower, be a tempeh!”
