lean-bean

Tonight I watched Good Eats, a show where host Alton Brown approaches cuisine and food in new and somewhat ridiculous ways- especially with his scientific methods and his precise measurements. I'll give you an idea of how the show goes for those who haven't seen it.

While introducing the main ingredient to the foods he will create during the show, the host usually introduces other uses for the ingredient as well as a little bit of history of how it came to the United States or how it was first used or where it came from. This episodes main ingredient was edamame, a member of the soy family.

I was disappointed at the reveal of this ingredient, after reading Jim Rutz's article on the potential dangers of soy products. It's hard to decide whether I want a delicious and nutritious meal or if I want breast cancer and a weakened thyroid. sigh

Alton Brown likes to let the viewer know how to choose the ingredient at the grocery store. He mentions that when choosing it you could choose between fresh edamame beans, or bagged which is what he prefers.

He wastes no time in mentioning the various ways to cook the beans, whether boiling or baking, he introduces the more adverse and scientific way of heating the beans by using a magnetron. Since not very many homes have such a device, and not very many families have access to this device, a microwave can be used.

Getting into his first method of preparing the edamame, he mixes one pound of edamame beans with a quarter of a cup of water to keep it from burning, and puts it into the microwave. After it is done cooking he adds salt to create an easy to make snack. He eludes to the fact that the Japanese used to enjoy this snack with beer.

His next version of preparing the edamame is in a salad. He starts by separating the beans from the pod. Adding corn, scallions, garlic, salt and pepper he bakes it in the oven mixing in oil, so the ingredients absorb each other. Although the viewer can't smell this baked concoction, he mentions a great aroma that it produces. After cooking, he adds a few other vegetables to finish off the salad, which can be served chilled or heated.

While this food, while being mostly soy-based, actually looks rather tasty, it is also the only vegetable that delivers all proteins necessary to the body in order to live. To this, he mentions, that one could quite literally live off of eating the edamame beans alone.

Normally I am not one to enjoy any form soy or anything resembling it, however the way that it was prepared during the show reveals ways that I might even desire. Though they seem fairly easy to make I probably will never attempt any of the methods on my own. Being one to usually over-react, soy terrifies me now that Jim Rutz has sheered the wool off my eyes and endowed me with the knowledge of its 'poison.' Hope you can enjoy these dishes regardless of my superstitions. :)