Soy Recipe

Soyfoods: A Convenient, Versatile and Great Tasting Way to Add Something Healthy to Your Day

(ARA) - There's no doubt that nutrition is an important topic for consumers, but Americans today are also faced with more time constraints than ever before. As a result, effortless food choices often prevail over healthy alternatives. For most consumers, changing their eating habits may depend on a variety of factors: the taste of the food, the ease of preparation and whether the food is readily available and reasonably priced. Considering the importance of our health and the increasing demands on our time, wouldn't it be ideal to have food choices that were appealing, convenient, uncomplicated and touted an impressive nutritional profile? Such characteristics already exist in one humble yet powerful little bean -- the soybean.

Food Companies Hot on Healthy Soy

Soy has long been regarded as having a healthful nutrient profile. As a food source that is high in protein, fiber, and essential amino acids, incorporating soy into the diet is an easy and tasty way to get the nutrition we need. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized soy's cholesterol lowering effects and authorized a health claim for soy protein, which states that incorporating 25 grams of soy protein per day into a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Since then, food manufacturers have taken note and increased development of a wide variety of healthful, tasty and easy-to-prepare soy products that appeal to consumers.

Abundant Soy Products Provide Consumers with Easy, Healthful Options

From meals to snacks to beverages, the soy product marketplace offers consumers many fun and nutritious options that will please even the most selective palate. One of the most popular soy products on the market is soymilk. Now available in a variety of flavors, including chocolate and strawberry, soymilk manufacturers have broadened their product lines to appeal to mainstream consumers. Also, because soymilk is so versatile, and because its flavor has been significantly refined, it has become a popular ingredient. Many vitamin-packed fruit smoothies are further enhanced with protein-rich soymilk.

Tofu Revival

Also updated with new flavor and texture enhancements, tofu has seen a revival in consumer markets. Tofu is readily available in two forms, regular and silken (creamy), and in either case, you can select from soft, firm or extra-firm texture and full or reduced fat. What makes tofu so distinct is its versatility, as it absorbs the flavors of the ingredients with which it's mixed. Plus, tofu is so easy to incorporate into recipes of all kinds. Water-packed tofu has a dense, solid texture, and is available conveniently pre-packaged for quick and easy incorporation into recipes. Try crumbling firm tofu into chili or add cubes of it to stir-fries, soups and casseroles. It's so easy to incorporate and dishes instantly receive a boost of protein and B-vitamins without sacrificing taste. Silken tofu, which has a creamy, smooth texture, makes an excellent ingredient substitute in recipes ranging from dips to dressings to ice cream.

Edamame: Sweet, Green and Oh So Easy

Edamame, or sweet green soybeans, also make a wonderful, nutritious addition to many types of dishes. Edamame is currently one of the hottest food trends, turning up on the menus of some of the nation's most acclaimed restaurants and at major league baseball parks. Recreational chefs can enjoy scrumptious dishes prepared with edamame right in the comfort of their own kitchens with little fuss or time commitment required. The Linguini with Roasted Garlic Sauce recipe that follows is a sure crowd-pleaser, bursting with an enticing combination of simple ingredients, yet remaining low in fat and high in protein. Edamame also makes for a fun, wholesome snack. Because these soybeans are harvested early, they embody a sweet flavor that successfully stands alone. Just boil water, steam the beans for approximately fifteen minutes and eat. It's that easy and it's delicious.

These are only a few of the many tasty, healthy and easy-to-prepare options available for meal enhancement through the incorporation of soyfoods. Eating healthy doesn't always mean sacrificing taste or time. Today's grocery retailers offer many convenient soyfood options, which come fresh or pre-packaged and ready to use as complements to your own prepared meals. To access additional recipes and view more information on the varieties of soyfoods and their many health benefits, visit the United Soybean Board's Web site at www.talksoy.com.