FoodNet

Foods, their selection and preparation

1935

Page 232 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1935. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Method 1. Wash dry soybeans and soak them overnight. Remove the skins by rubbing them off in the water; they will float to the surface and can be discarded. Grind the beans fine in a food grinder. Put the ground beans in a cheese¬ cloth bag and immerse it in a bowl of lukewarm water, using 3 quarts of water to a pound of dry beans. Work thoroughly with the hands for 5 to 10 minutes, then wring the bag of pulp until it is dry. Boil the creamy white liquid over a low fire for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add sugar and salt to tasteSoybean Milk. Keep in a cold place. ' Method 2. Wash soybeans, dry them thor¬ oughly, then crack them by crushing coarsely in a food grinder. The skins then can be easily removed. Grind fine in the grinder. To each pound add 3 quarts of water and soak for 2 hours. Boil for 20 minutes, stirring constantly, then strain through cheesecloth. Add sugar and salt to taste. Keep in a cold place. This milk contains two rather different proteins. One coagulates when the milk is boiled and can be skimmed from the top. It is used by the Chinese in making a well- seasoned dish resembling a stew. This dish 1 Soybeans and Soybean Products as Food , Mis¬ cellaneous Publication No. 534, p. 11, 1943. [258] is supposed to have been prepared first for the Buddhist priests during their prepa¬ ration for communion with their gods. At this time they were allowed no meat but obtained in this product a protein of com¬ parable quality. It has the texture of meat and takes on the flavor of the sauce in which it is served. These sauces, prepared as only the Chinese can, impart their elusive flavors to the otherwise tasteless proteins. This pro¬ tein is sold in dried form in some Chinese shops. The other protein in the soybean milk is similar to casein and makes up the bulk of the bean protein. It is not coagulated by heating but is precipitated by the addi¬ tion of a calcium salt and is separated as soybean curd. This also is a tasteless prod¬ uct in itself but is a good carrier of the flavors of the Chinese sauces and soups. It is an efficient protein and is readily utilized in this separated form. The use of a calcium salt to precipitate the curd adds needed calcium to the Chinese diets. Soybean curds are prepared in this coun¬ try either by adding vinegar to soybean milk or by letting the milk ferment naturally in a warm place. Vinegar gives a firm curd; fermentation gives a curd with texture like that of cream cheese. The best varieties of soybeans for curd are the yellow types. The curd may be used in soups, omelets, creamed eggs, and other such dishes. Table LI gives the proximate composition of soybeans and soybean products. In this country, we have good supplies Sliced Fresh Curd Is Drained on a Bamboo Rack and Cut into Pieces for Sale • It is available in this country in stores catering to Oriental groups U.S.D.A. PRO- CARBO- CALORIES ITEM WATER TEIN (N x 5.7) FAT HY¬ DRATE2 FIBER ASH Per 100 grams Per Pound Table LI • Soybeans, green, shelled . . . Per cent 67. Per cent 12.5 Per cent 6.5 Per cent 6. Per cent 1.5 Per cent 1.5 132 600 Composition Soybeans, whole mature seeds 7.5 34.9 18.1 12. 5.0 4.7 350 1,590 and Fuel Value Soybean sprouts . 82.3 8.5 1.8 6.3 .9 1.07 75 340 of Soybeans Soybean meal: Ground whole beans . '. . 8.9