Sweet & Spicy Soy Beans

Here’s a quick snack that’s good for you and will warm the top of your head on a cold winter day.

Your local supermarket should have frozen bags of boiled soy beans (edamame) in the pod. They’re usually in the vegetable or Asian foods section of the freezer.

While you’re there, head over to the Asian food aisle and grab a bottle of Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. I use the Mae Ploy brand that’s made with sugar, chili pepper, vinegar and garlic. It’s sweet and it’s got a nice little kick.

To prepare, reheat the soy beans as directed on the package. When they’re done, drain off most of the water, leaving a few tablespoons in the pot. Pour in a half-cup or so of the sweet chili sauce, mix it all up, then continue on low heat until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Start eating. Take a pod into your mouth and with your teeth, pop the beans out of the pod, Discard the pod, which has surrendered its entire flavor to you, and reach for another.

It’s addictive.