Soya is one of the most versatile wonder foods we have as it can mimic the flavours and textures of most of our popular foods. Soya protein that comes in the shape of chunks, granules or flakes are made from processed soya beans. They are called Textured Vegetable Protein or TVP, which is defatted soya flour that has been processed and dried to give a substance with a sponge-like texture which may be flavoured to resemble meat.
As well as being a good source of fibre and high quality protein, it is fortified with vitamin-B12. Soya is a rich source of plant compounds called phytoestrogens. This reduces the risk of breast cancer and prostrate cancer and raise good cholesterol levels. It contains 48% soya protein without any fat. it helps to control blood sugar for diabetics and people who suffer from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Soya protein is very bland in taste. Extra flavours have to be incorporated to enhance it. Being my comfort food, I have substituted soya chunks to my favourite mutton dish.
Soya Chunks Varuval
What do we need:
2 cups soya chunks
2 medium potatoes
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1 star anise
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 tbsp ginger & garlic paste
1 onion, sliced
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp meat curry powder
1 tbsp dark soya sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
salt
How do we do it:
Soak the soya chunks in hot water for about half an hour, then discard water. Squeeze out the excess water. Then wash them in clean water. Squeeze again. Set aside.
Dice the potatoes. Mix with salt and turmeric powder. Deep fry until golden in colour. Set aside.
Heat oil and fry fennel seeds, star anise and cinnamon stick until aromatic. Add in ginger garlic paste and the sliced onion. Sauté until the rawness gets over. Pour the water, add curry powder, soya sauce and the soya chunks. Let the gravy simmer. Add the fried potatoes cubes and season with salt and sugar. Keep stirring gently until it becomes dry.
Serve Soya Chunks Varuval with hot rice or roti.
As well as being a good source of fibre and high quality protein, it is fortified with vitamin-B12. Soya is a rich source of plant compounds called phytoestrogens. This reduces the risk of breast cancer and prostrate cancer and raise good cholesterol levels. It contains 48% soya protein without any fat. it helps to control blood sugar for diabetics and people who suffer from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Soya protein is very bland in taste. Extra flavours have to be incorporated to enhance it. Being my comfort food, I have substituted soya chunks to my favourite mutton dish.
Soya Chunks Varuval
What do we need:
2 cups soya chunks
2 medium potatoes
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1 star anise
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 tbsp ginger & garlic paste
1 onion, sliced
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp meat curry powder
1 tbsp dark soya sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
salt
How do we do it:
Soak the soya chunks in hot water for about half an hour, then discard water. Squeeze out the excess water. Then wash them in clean water. Squeeze again. Set aside.
Dice the potatoes. Mix with salt and turmeric powder. Deep fry until golden in colour. Set aside.
Heat oil and fry fennel seeds, star anise and cinnamon stick until aromatic. Add in ginger garlic paste and the sliced onion. Sauté until the rawness gets over. Pour the water, add curry powder, soya sauce and the soya chunks. Let the gravy simmer. Add the fried potatoes cubes and season with salt and sugar. Keep stirring gently until it becomes dry.
Soya Chunks Varuval with Plain Rice, Lemony Spinach and Sambar
Serve Soya Chunks Varuval with hot rice or roti.
They look so yummy pushpa..im coming over there for lunch..Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank u. Ur always welcome.
My hubby was looking for a nice yummy soya chunks recipe and today i have found one..i will surely let him know..Thanks for posting it!!
ReplyDeleteLet me know how u liked it. Ur most welcome.
it looks mouthwatering!
ReplyDeleteThank u.
Yummy recipe..pushpa.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank u & ur welcome.
Hi Pushpa,
ReplyDeleteThat looks scrumptious! Have never tried soy chunks, will have to look for them.
Thank u. Let me know how u like it.
I made soy chunk and peas curry last week after 8 years approx [had it at a friend's place back in high school]and I'm absolutely in love with soya chunks. I'm going to have to try your tasty version.
ReplyDeleteThanx for stopping by.
Thank u & welcome to the blog. Do let me know of the outcome.
Hi Pushpa,
ReplyDeleteVegetarians like me surely love this varuval. I will make it soon pushpa, thanx for sharing this recipe.
Ur welcome. Tell me how u like it.
Oh it looks delicious Pushpa!I have been on the lookout for some soya chunks here,Can you please let me know whats the German term for soya chunks or granules?
ReplyDeleteThank u. U can get them in Sri Lankan shops. It is called Sojagranulat auf Deutsch. Anyway, which Kanton do u live in?
Wait pushpa... let me go get a spoon :-) Your last picture looks mouth watering. Great recipe.
ReplyDeleteThank u very much. Just use ur fingers. It would taste much better.
great recipe Pushpa, looks delicious, I always made soggy curry with the soya chunks which needless to say did not taste vey good and now thanks to you I can make some tasty varuval.
ReplyDeleteThank u very much. Do let me know how u like it.
Puspha - I felt like licking my computer screen when I saw the last photo :) I've had a bag of soya chunks for a VERY long time - now I know what to make with it!
ReplyDeleteThanx. Tell me how u like it.
Thanks for the reply Pushpa.I live in the Canton of Valais:)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. Isn't Valais a French Canton?
wow, it looks delicious and looks more inviting esp the last picture!
ReplyDeleteThank u very much.
That looks tasty!!
ReplyDeleteThankx a lot.
yummm...the last picture is so homely...reminds me of meals made back home.
ReplyDeleteAwww... u poor thing.
puspha, this reminds me of my roommate's cooking. yumm..but don't you think it's a bit too hot to have sambar during summer?
ReplyDeleteThanx. I didn't know that sambar is heaty.
This looks really good and healthy! I'd love to add soya to my eating habits.
ReplyDeletePaz
Thank u.
That's a great recipe with soya chunks. Joins my must try list.
ReplyDeleteThank u. Pls tell me how u like it.
Very nice recipe with soy chunks Pushpa. Thank you for the recipe !
ReplyDeleteThank u very much.
send some over will ya....
ReplyDeleteWahh... uncle, long time no c hor. Hope everything is fine with Carmen.
hi pushpa, thx for dropping by my blog. u hv an awesome blog here! do u mind if i link you?
ReplyDeleteThank u very much for the compliments. U can always link me. I'm honoured.
what an appetizing & wholesome spread you've out there! pushpa,Just love the way you have presented.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx.
A very yummy spread indeed Pushpa...feel like having your lunch!
ReplyDeleteThank u so much, Shynee. Y don't u come over & have lunch with me.
Thank you for your comment on my blog, Pushpa. Your soya chunks recipe is an interestingly different version. I love the banana cake recipe that you've posted. That's something I will be trying soon.
ReplyDeleteThank u & welcome to the blog. Do let me know how it came out.
I love soy chunks / granules Pushpa-and i use it in everything i can , the varuval looks yum-will try it out soon
ReplyDeleteLove
N
Thank u very much dear. Tell me how u liked it.
hi
ReplyDeletepushpa
seems to be a yummy recipe a definete try for me
will let you know
i have soya granules with me i hope it comes out well with those too .
can you give me the spinach recipe too
Thank u very much. Sure, I'll post it soon.
Dear Pushpa,
ReplyDeleteTried your soya chunks varuval today & it was really yummy.Thanks for the excellent recipe.Also what else can we substitute for meat curry powder.Just wanted to try with that next time.
Thanks,
Kate.