Tempeh

[dalthauser]

 I made tempeh recently - finally uploaded a couple of the pics I took.  
I want to make a posting later with the complete process in a lesson form.    
I don't know anyone else who makes tempeh at home (then again I don't know many people).  I learned it from an indonesian lady when I lived in Japan.  I think mine is better than anything that can be purchased in a store (but I'm biased).

Packing the inoculated bean mixture into bags for fermenting.



Final product ready for steaming (to stop the mold from growing)

 

Comments

[sahlah.livejournal.com]

Tell us more... and maybe your favorite way to eat them.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Thanks for asking! :)
I love sharing Tempeh info - it's too bad it's not more popular here considering its nutritional value and versatility.

I use it like most people use meat. Mostly I pan fry it with spices or marinade and put it between bread. I also crumble it and put it in chili. My daughter liked it deep fried with batter like chicken strips and dipped in ranch dressing. It's good for breakfast if you soak it in a liquid smoke marinade overnight and pan fry it - kind of like bacon.

I usually make mine with soy beans and bulgar wheat, but I sometimes go crazy and make it with different combinations of millet, oat groats, sunflower seeds, amaranth, etc. etc.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

Sounds almost like what you would do with tofu? Does it ever ferement badly?

I'm learning things?

I don't recomend you go looking for any of my posts on canned meat.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Tofu doesn't have to ferment. You use a coagulating agent and it curdles. It's a lot like making cheese. I've tried to make tofu several times using instructions from books and internet - I am not good at it. Maybe someday I'll meet someone who makes it, and it can learn first hand.

Yes! - Tempeh can ferment badly. You can tell when you've ruined it by the smell and texture (very gross). If you don't use clean utensils - if you use too high or too low temps in fermenting - not enough inoculent - and other things allow the bad bacteria to grow.