The tempeh is a food of Indonesian origin, made from fermented soybeans, which comes in the form of a compact paste. It is particularly appreciated for its richness in plant proteins and its firm texture. These characteristics make it an excellent meat substitute in vegetarian or vegan dishes. Here are 5 must-know recipes, which you absolutely must know and try in order to introduce this superfood to your kitchen.
BBQ Style Tempeh Burger
Nothing like a delicious burger to savor tempeh in a different way! To do this, start by crumbling the equivalent of 200g of tempeh into a salad bowl. Then add a tablespoon of barbecue sauce, an egg (or a vegan egg substitute), salt, pepper and spices of your choice (smoked, paprika …).
Combine 100g of breadcrumbs to obtain a homogeneous mixture. Form steaks with your hands of the desired size then fry them for a few minutes on each side in a hot pan with a little oil. Afterwards, assemble your burger with hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mustard, ketchup and any other ingredient of your choice.
Tempeh with Mustard and Herbs
The intense flavors of mustard and herbs guarantee a tasty and aromatic dish. To prepare this recipe, cut 200g of tempeh into cubes about 2 cm on each side and marinate for an hour in a preparation made of two tablespoons of mustard, a tablespoon of olive oil, a few sprigs of fresh thyme and pepper.
Let rest in the refrigerator, then drain the marinated tempeh pieces and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes at 180°C until the tempeh is nicely browned. This preparation can be eaten hot or cold, accompanied by grilled vegetables or a crunchy salad for a light and refined meal.
Tempeh in Bourguignon Style
A plant-based version of the famous French dish
To rediscover the flavors of traditional Burgundy without meat, bet on tempeh! Cut it into cubes, sauté it with a little olive oil, then brown the onions (2) and carrots (3) sliced. Then add one or two cloves of chopped garlic and pour in 50cl of red wine and 25cl of vegetable broth.
Season with herbs of Provence, pepper, and possibly a little salt. Let simmer on low heat for about an hour. You can also add mushrooms at the end of the cooking to enrich this vegetarian version of bourguignon. Serve with steamed potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even pasta for a hearty and comforting meal.
Tempeh in Chili sin Carne Style
For those who love spicy flavors, prepare a delicious meatless chili based on tempeh. Start by crumbling the equivalent of a block of tempeh (200g) in a pan with a little olive oil. Sauté it until it turns a golden color, then add a can of crushed tomatoes and a tablespoon of tomato paste.
Then incorporate a can of rinsed and drained red beans, a chopped garlic clove, a sliced onion, and spices of your choice (cumin, paprika, coriander…). Also add a bouquet garni composed of thyme, bay leaf, and parsley. Let simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes, until you obtain a thick sauce. Serve hot accompanied by brown rice or corn for a comforting meal.
Spring Rolls with Tempeh
Finally, why not opt for an Asian recipe based on tempeh? Spring rolls are perfect for this. Cut 200g of tempeh into thin slices and grill them with a little olive oil, soy, and spices (ground coriander, ginger…).
Also prepare a garnish composed of cooked rice vermicelli, raw vegetables cut into julienne (carrots, cucumber, bell pepper), lettuce leaves as well as coriander and fresh mint. Hydrate the rice pancakes in hot water to make them flexible and then garnish them with the tempeh as well as the vegetable preparation. Roll everything up and serve immediately accompanied by a sweet and sour sauce or a peanut-based sauce for tasting these rolls with exotic and original flavors.