Spicy Baked Soy Bean Snack Food

ROASTED SOY NUTS

Steps:

• Soak beans in water 8-12 hours. Be sure to use enough water, as the beans will expand to about 3 cups.
• Rinse the beans and blot lightly with paper towel. They don't need to be dry, just not dripping wet with water.
• Sprinkle olive oil over the beans and toss lightly to coat. I do this right in the colander that I used to drain the beans.
• Sprinkle salt and cajun spice over the beans and continue to toss until coated.
• Spread the beans on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake at 350F, stirring after 15 minutes. Stir beans and return to oven, baking and stirring every 5 minutes until soybeans are golden brown and crunchy. The amount of time to attain crunchy soy nuts will depend on the moisture of the soaked beans. It usually takes mine a total of 25-45 minutes. That's a big range, I know, but every batch is different is all I can say! Watch them carefully toward the end to make sure that they don't burn. Conversely, you definitely don't want to under-roast them either, or they will have a chewy consistency. They should be nicely browned, like in my picture.
• Cool the beans and enjoy!

SZECHUAN EDAMAME (SOY BEANS)

Steps:

• Place edamame pods in a microwave-safe bowl; add 1/4 cup water. Cover and microwave on high until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain.
• Place sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat; toast until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Add sugar, soy sauce, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until soy sauce reduces and thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Add edamame; toss until coated, 1 to 2 minutes.

INDIAN SPICED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, mix together all the spices.
• Pour chickpeas into another bowl and drizzle with enough olive oil to lightly coat the beans. Stir. Pour in the spices and mix thoroughly.
• Pour the chickpeas onto a baking sheet and spread them around so they're in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, give the pan a shake, and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until they are crispy on the outside and still soft on the inside. Let the chickpeas cool before you pop them into your mouth (they're super hot).

SPICY EDAMAME (SOY BEANS)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Cook frozen edamame (in their shells) in boiling water for 5 minutes.
• Rinse quickly with cold water. Drain completely. Set aside, and allow edamame to dry off slightly. Use a paper towel if necessary to remove excess water.
• In a large pan, heat sesame oil and chopped garlic over medium heat until fragrant.
• Add Japanese rayu (chili oil) and cooked edamame (in their shells). Quickly stir-fry, then turn off heat.
• Add shichimi togarashi (7-spice chili peppers) and salt. Gently toss.
• Serve spicy edamame on a platter and garnish with red chili pepper flakes.

SPICY BAKED SOY BEAN SNACK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring the water to a boil on the stove.
• Add the frozen soy beans to the water, reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and simmer for 4 minutes.
• Drain the water and leave the soy beans in the pot.
• Add the olive oil, chipotle pepper, coriander, chili flakes, and dijon mustard. Mix well.
• Grease a baking sheet and spread the soy beans evenly on the surface.
• Bake for approx 1 hour.