Vegetarian cooks have discovered the wonders of tempeh, a flavorful fermented soy product that's also a great source of protein. It is a very thick dough derived from the fermentation of soybeans that can be sliced, chopped or chopped and used as a meat substitute in many recipes. It has a nutty flavor that goes well with marinades and spices; you can cook it in the oven, fry it or stew it without losing its full-bodied consistency. This article describes how to season and cook it to perfection.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare and Season the Tempeh
Step 1. Buy tempeh at organic and ethnic food stores
It is a product not always available in normal supermarkets and grocery stores, so if there is an organic food store in your area, you can find tempeh in the fridge, next to the tofu. If you'd rather not buy commercial tempeh, you can also make it yourself. This is a very long process, but at least you can be sure it contains only natural ingredients.
You can make tempeh with two cups of shelled soybeans, two tablespoons of vinegar, and a fermentation primer pack. Boil the beans until soft, drain and pat them dry. Add the vinegar and the primer, place the beans in a container that allows air to pass through the holes and let them ferment. They must be kept at a constant temperature of 31 ° C for 24-48 hours. During this time, mycelium will form on the beans and make them a solid block
Step 2. Boil or simmer the tempeh until soft
It is in fact sold in small dense and hard blocks. Although you can slice it and cook it as it is, many recipes require that it first be boiled in hot water for a few minutes to soften it before moving on to another technique to finish the preparation. This process guarantees a tempeh with a crunchy texture on the outside with a soft and pleasant heart when fried or stir-fried. To boil it:
- Remove the tempeh from the package.
- Boil a pot of water, you can also let it simmer, depending on the desired softness. The hotter the water, the softer the tempeh becomes.
- Put the entire block in hot water.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove it from the water and pat it dry.
Step 3. Cut the block into pieces
The most common way to cut it is to obtain thin slices or strips; alternatively you can divide it into cubes the size of a mouthful. You can decide to grate it or finely chop it until it reaches the consistency of minced meat. Reduce the tempeh to the size your recipe calls for. Eg:
- If you're barbecuing, cut it into long strips.
- If you're making tacos, grate or grind them.
- If you add it to soup, cut it into chunks.
Step 4. Marina the tempeh
This product has a very delicate nutty flavor that goes well with other aromas. Marinating is a popular technique to enhance the taste before cooking. You can use any blend you use for tofu, chicken, beef, or any other meats. Here are some suggestions:
- Make a flavorful marinade with minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices.
- Place the tempeh pieces or slices in a glass bowl and top them with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and let it rest for at least 20 minutes, preferably overnight.
- Drain the marinade to prepare the tempeh for cooking.
Step 5. Seasonings
If you'd rather not use the marinade, you can flavor the tempeh with a spice mix. Coriander, parsley and oregano (along with other aromatic herbs) enhance the flavor, while powdered spices such as paprika and turmeric add a touch of color from yellow-brown to reddish. The use of many spices and herbs contributes to the flavor of the final product and also to improve the presentation. Here's how to proceed:
- Arrange the tempeh pieces on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle them with spices to your taste. Turn the pieces and season them on the other side as well.
- Don't skimp on spices, as tempeh tastes pretty sloppy on its own and needs to be flavored.
Part 2 of 3: Cook the Tempeh
Step 1. In the oven
A simple baked tempeh can be cooked either after a marinade or with spices alone. You can accompany it with vegetables, rice or quinoa. Here's how to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease a baking sheet with olive oil by spreading it with a sheet of kitchen paper - this way the tempeh doesn't stick.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer.
- Cook the tempeh for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden and crisp.
Step 2. In the pan
Heat some oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. When it's hot, arrange the strips or tempeh cubes. Cook them on each side for about 3 minutes or until golden and crisp, turn them over with a pair of kitchen tongs.
Step 3. Frying
Heat plenty of oil with a high smoke point (such as peanut oil) in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven. When the oil reaches 200 ° C, add the tempeh and cook it for about 4 minutes until it becomes crisp and golden. Remove it from the oil and place it on a plate covered with kitchen paper to absorb the excess grease.
You can also bread the slices before frying if you want a crunchy crust. Dip the tempeh in milk or eggs and then in the flour, breadcrumbs or croutons mixed with spices and salt. Fry as described above
Step 4. Combine tempeh with other dishes
Cook it however you like for a protein-rich dish. Decide if the preparation will be better if cooked in the oven, in a pan or fried; add the seasonings, vegetables, and a sauce and treat the tempeh like chicken, fish, or tofu.
- Add cooked and diced tempeh to soups and stews.
- If you want to make salads, place the tempeh cubes with the vegetables and other ingredients for a warm salad or wait for them to cool if you prefer a cold dish.
- Use strips or slices to stuff sandwiches, sandwiches or other preparations where you don't want to use meat.
Part 3 of 3: Classic Dishes
Step 1. Make tempeh burgers
They have a very meat-like texture and are just as satisfying. You can add tasty spices such as garlic powder, black and cayenne pepper and you won't regret not eating beef. Here's how to prepare them:
- Start by boiling a tempeh for 10 minutes and then grating it. You will need 400g of tempeh for 4 burgers.
- Combine a pinch of salt, a pinch of cayenne pepper, half a teaspoon of garlic powder, and some black pepper.
- Beat an egg and add it to the mixture to mix everything with the spices.
- Divide the mixture into 4 meatballs and pass them in the breadcrumbs.
- Cook the meatballs on a greased grill until golden brown.
- Serve them in sandwiches or on a bed of green salad.
Step 2. Make a veggie mince sandwich
This is a very popular sandwich in the US (called "Sloppy Joe") and requires burger bread to be stuffed with ground beef in gravy. It is an excellent solution for a quick dinner with many friends. Leftovers are even better the next day. Here is the recipe:
- Crumble a block of tempeh and sauté it in the oil until golden and crunchy.
- Add an onion and chopped green pepper and continue stir-frying until soft.
- Add one teaspoon of chili powder, one teaspoon of garlic powder, half of cumin and two full tablespoons of soy sauce. Cook for another two minutes.
- Add 450ml of tomato puree and let the mixture simmer.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the filling in burger buns.
Step 3. Chicken salad.
Believe it or not, tempeh is so versatile that it tastes great when seasoned with mayonnaise, spices, grapes and used as a substitute for chicken. If you love chicken salad but don't want to eat meat, try this vegetarian alternative:
- Boil a block of tempeh for 8 minutes and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Wait for it to cool down.
- Mix the chunks with half a cup of mayonnaise, a chopped celery stalk, half a chopped onion, and half a cup of white or red grapes. Season with salt and pepper; you can also add curry if you wish.
- Cool the salad for 30 minutes.
- Serve it on a plate of lettuce or croutons.
