Beans on Branches.

Ed-uh-mom-ay. Say it really fast. I'll give you a second to work it out.......................times up! If you mastered that pronunciation then give yourself a pat on the back, a self high-five, or if you're feeling the celebration dance, knock yourself out!  I know what you're thinking, Tenile sure did miss her calling as a Mad Gab writer.  J

 Edamame.  Don't you like that sneaky originality of the name?  It sounds worldly & pompous, but in all actuality just means beans on branches.   You're really just fillin' up on fresh green soybeans that are harvested before they harden...who would've thought?!

 How do these pea pod look-a-likes taste?  I wanted my words to arouse your appetite for this succulent soybean so I looked up tons of descriptive words.   I also tried to descibe my own personal experience, but alas, my brain was fried.  So instead, I hopped on the Internet to see what the wonderful people of google could tell me about the taste   Expecting to be blown away, all I could find was the following, "edamame has a sweet nutty flavor."  Not exactly the "wow" factor I was going after, but I guess it'll have to do.

High in protein, low in fat, & go ahead & throw some fiber into the mix as well because that is what you're gonna get with this lovely legume.  The protein and fiber will keep you full & help keep your growling stomach at bay.  I should also mention that the fat in edamame is of the heart healthy kind (monounsaturated & polyunsaturated).  Quadruple bonus!!!

Since my goal is to make you informed foodies, I do have to bring this slight controversy to your attention about the benefits of soy. While I know we all love our controversies, I'm guessing the soy dispute has not left any of you losing sleep. I won't delve into all the details, but just let me give you the low down. Soy has been linked to the reduction of heart disease but the American Heart Association (AHA) says "not so fast."  "Soy and cardiovascular disease prevention is the most studied of all soy-health related links, but because of limited or inconsistent data, no real conclusions can be reached about its effects on health.  According to a soy expert, try to aim for 2-4 servings of soy per day. "

If you are going to order edamame on your next five-star dinner date with your own version of David Beckham or Gisele Bundchen, let me spare you some embarrassment & tell you how to go about eating edamame.

         Eating Edamame for Dummies:
                                                                           
              1. Pick up the edamame between your index finger & thumb (preferably you have freshly washed hands and/or hand sanitizer available).
             3.  Place one end of the pod between your teeth, bite down, & pull the pod out.  This will cause the beans to pop out of the pod & into your mouth.
             5.  Take your time.  Having to perform the Heimlich maneuver on your date probably doesn't rank in the top 5 turn ons.
             6.  Discard the pod in the appropriate place.

This just in: You can also purchase edamame at your local grocery store!  They are typically flash frozen & salted so all you have to do is boil them.  Top your salad, eat them plain, or throw them in pasta to take your dish to the next level.  Bon appétit!  ...& don't be surprised if your taster asks for more!!