Foods You Should Know About: Tempeh
One of my “resolutions” this year was to eat meatless one day a week. Some weeks weren’t as easy but recently I have been bitten by the cooking bug and have been trying to many protein and meat alternatives! Tempeh and tofu have become some of my go to ingredients when cooking vegetarian meals. Even if you’re not planning to become a vegetarian soon, I would give tempeh a try!
What is Tempeh?
Basically, tempeh is a meat alternative. It’s similar to Tofu in that you’ll find it in the chilled section of your grocery store. Tempeh is made out of soybeans similar to that of tofu but the process to create tempeh makes it much easier to digest. You’ll also be getting more protein in each serving! One word of caution, find organic tempeh so you are receiving something that is minimally processed.
Why should I eat it?
Whether you are trying to gradually eat less meat or are simply curious, tempeh is the way to go. You can cook with it just as you would with any other protein. If you tried tofu and it did not sit well with you, I would recommend trying tempeh. Due to the fermentation process, it’s much easier to digest.
This is a great way to add protein to your diet. Depending on the brand, a 3oz serving of tempeh will give you 16 grams of protein. It’s a great way to eat real whole food while getting all the nutrients you need.
How should I eat it?
Anywhere you would eat meat, you can substitute tempeh! One of my favorite things to do is sub it for ground beef in tacos or stew. While it may not look appetizing in most packaging, think of it as a blank canvas! When seasoned and mixed with veggies, tempeh can be very flavorful and satisfying. I bet you can even mix it into some dishes and you family members wouldn’t know!
Here’s a delicious recipe where tempeh is used to bring heartiness and flavor to a sweet potato hash. Another one of my favorite ways to add it to my meals is by simply searing tempeh and adding it to my salads. It’s a great way to keep your salads from getting boring!
