Full of beans

Edamame

‘Edamame’ is a Japanese word literally meaning ‘twig beans’ or ‘branched beans’. Edamame is the immature green soybean in the pod. They are picked before they ripen. Left on the vine to mature, they form hard beans which all of us know as soybeans. Edamame beans are tender and soft with a delicate flavour. They have a high nutritional value and are rich in antioxidants which cleanse the body of toxins thus improving immunity. They are a rich source of carbohydrate, protein, dietary fibre, omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. They contain all the nine essential amino acids that the body needs. Regular consumption of edamame in moderate quantities (30-40 gm per day) helps control high cholesterol and high blood pressure, besides preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Now, for a recipe.

Edamame and Strawberry Bruschetta

Ingredients

Baguette bread: 8 slices

Extra virgin olive oil: 20 ml

Edamame beans (shelled, boiled and cooled): 120 gm

Mayonnaise: 20 gm

Wasabi powder: half tsp

Fresh strawberries (cleaned and sliced): 60 gm

Feta cheese (cut into small dices): 40 gm

Lollo rosso lettuce (2 inch pieces): 8 nos.

Method: Lightly toast the baguette bread slices on both sides. Drizzle the olive oil on one side of the toasted baguette slices. Mix the boiled and cooled edamame beans with mayonnaise and wasabi powder. Place a piece of lollo rosso lettuce at one end of the toasted baguette slice and then place a layer of edamame mixed with wasabi mayonnaise. Neatly arrange the strawberry slices on top, followed with the feta dices.

Alok Anand,

Executive Chef, Taj Coromandel