Edamame

Edamame, pronounced, “ed-ah-MAH-may, is technically a soybean and resembles something between a pea and a lima bean in terms of taste and appearance. As a complete protein, it’s a great source of fiber, protein, amino acids and vitamins. A half cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and just 9 grams of carbs for 100 calories! A powerhouse side dish in Japanese cuisine, edamame is often served at sushi restaurants. It’s typically offered as an appetizer portion or sometimes is provided compliments of the chef when seated at the sushi bar. If you’ve never enjoyed edamame, keep in mind that the pods are not edible. To eat edamame in the pod, bring the pod close to your mouth, grab the edamame beans with your teeth and ‘shuffle’ them into your mouth. It’s kind of like scraping an artichoke leaf. You can also open the pod by pressing on it with your fingers and popping the beans into you mouth. When serving edamame in the pod, be sure to have a bowl nearby for the empty shells! Serving suggestions: steam the pods and toss with salt, or butter and garlic paste, or our Black Pepper Sauce or Authentic Eel Sauce. You can also serve plain with a little bit of ponzu on the side for dipping. Ingredients: Soybeans