What is Soy Meat and how to cook it?

Currently, more and more popular products are soy, which until recently in our country knew very little. However, it should be noted that in such countries as China, Japan, Asia, Africa and America, soy is one of the main food products, and not so much because of its cheapness, but because of its useful properties.

Let's try to figure out what soy products are. The most correct is the name of textured soy products, which are special products made from pre- fattened soy flour in order to simulate the shape and texture of the most useful dishes from meat, fish and mushrooms. Soy meat is produced in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes.

The method of production of soybean meat ensures the preservation of all the nutrients present in the feedstock. Thanks to the freeze-drying process carried out at the last stage of production, soy meat can be stored for a long time. Depending on the range of aromatic and flavor additives, after swelling in broth or water, soy products recreate the texture of the corresponding protein (fungus, fish, meat) products.

Soy meat, like all soy products, contains between 46 and 70% of proteins, similar in composition to animal proteins, and does not contain cholesterol and saturated fats. Therefore, the use of soy products significantly reduces the risk of various cardiovascular diseases. Soy products are valued due to the high content of provitamin PP and B vitamins, they are a rich source of magnesium and iron.

Soy meat and other soy products are recommended for daily meals, including dietary. Soy products are included in diets with certain functional disorders and diseases of the digestive tract. In diseases that are caused by a metabolic disorder (some forms of diabetes mellitus), a beneficial effect on a diet rich in dietary fiber is found. Soy products are used in the preparation of cold snacks, soups, side dishes, pates and pastries. Excellent dietary properties, high nutritional value, affordability and the opportunity to improve the organoleptic properties of the products have made soy products a favorite dish of many families.

Let's try to figure out how to cook soy meat correctly. In fact, there is nothing complicated here, just a few simple rules must be observed:

1. Due to the fact that soy meat is sold in a dehydrated (dry) form, it must be pre-poured with boiling water in a proportion of 1: 3, (ie, 1 liter of soy meat requires 3 liters of water), add salt, spices, vegetable , Mushroom or meat broth, spices or broths of herbs.
2. Leave the meat in this solution for at least 30 minutes for complete swelling. You can leave it overnight in cold boiled water or broth. It is important to take into account the fact that due to absorption of water during swelling it will increase in weight by 2.5-4 times (depending on the texture).
3. After full swelling it is necessary to drain excess liquid.

The packaging must include instructions on how to cook soy meat, as well as the degree of its swelling. If suddenly you miscalculated and the meat turned out too much, do not worry, because swollen soy meat can be frozen for long-term storage.

So, to prepare a delicious dish of soy meat, we need: a pack of soy products, carrots, onions, vegetable oil, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper, vinegar and sugar.

We will fill the meat with boiling water and let it brew for half an hour, you can weld it a little. While the meat is swelling, it is necessary to clean and cut the carrots and onions. After the meat has swelled, it is necessary to squeeze it, if it was cooked - before rinsing under running water. After this, it is necessary to cut the meat with straws and fry it in a large quantity of onions and carrots, with the addition of soy sauce. 5 minutes before the readiness to add garlic, vinegar and red pepper to taste.