Steaming tempeh.
What to to with that cake of tempeh you just bought? The good news is that these days most supermarket tempeh is already pre-cooked, so you can’t really mess it up. Check the package, of course, but pre-cooked brands include Turtle Island, Trader Joe’s, Lightlife, and Westsoy.
Steaming pre-cooked tempeh before you use it in your recipe is optional. I often bake or fry tempeh without steaming it first, but there are reasons to steam it. Steaming plumps and moistens the tempeh and helps it absorb a marinade or sauce better. It can also improve the flavor. Some people find un-steamed tempeh’s flavor to have a bitter edge. I don’t know whether that’s due to differences in brands, taste buds, or both. I find tempeh naturally sweet, nutty, and mild whether I steam it or not. I’m currently using Turtle Island tempeh, but I’ve used and enjoyed other brands in the past.
To steam the tempeh, slice and chop it into small chunks and put it in a steamer insert or basket. Put a couple inches of water in a big pot and set the steamer insert into the pot. Once the water’s hot enough, let the tempeh steam, covered, for about ten minutes.
Now you can use the tempeh however you want. Marinate, bake, or throw into a sauce.
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Great informative post. I always try and steam my tempeh before marinating or cooking with it. Really improves the flavor and becomes more porous for marinating!
Theresa recently posted..Baked Falafel Patties
Thanks, Theresa! I don’t always steam the tempeh– I like the flavor fine just as and often bake or fry it that way– but I do steam it when I want it softened or better able to pick up the flavors of a sauce.
mary recently posted..Silken Tofu Mayonnaise
I like the idea of steaming tempeh. I’m usually at a loss to find variety for it and end up with the same old, same old.
Joanne recently posted..SkinnyMs Grandma’s Applesauce Spice Cake
Thanks, Joanne! I’ll be posting my tempeh sloppy joe recipe very soon, that’s often what I’m steaming the tempeh for.
mary recently posted..Crispy Panko Tofu Triangles
I’ve steamed tempeh when a recipe calls for it, but other than that I usually don’t. I should do it more often–I’m not crazy about the flavor of tempeh, although some brands are definitely better than others!
Kiersten recently posted..Recipe | Cocoa Nib & Pomegranate Overnight Oats
Never thought of steaming tempeh, ever. Neat idea 🙂
Kiran recently posted..Coconut Fish Curry
Thanks!
mary recently posted..Brunost!
Hi
Looks Delicious. But can you tell me how much calories does it have?
Thanks
Dance of Stoves recently posted..Healthy Vegan Tempeh Bacon Recipe (8 Ingredients)
Thanks! I’d just check for nutritional info on the tempeh package.