Start the Year With Healthy Comfort Foods

By The Soyfoods Council

You can make winter cozier, by enjoying comfort foods made with high-quality plant protein from soy. Sustainably grown soyfoods like tofu, black soybeans, edamame and soymilk are complete plant proteins. That means they provide all nine essential amino acids, in amounts required to meet nutritional needs of children and adults.

For sippable protein, enjoy a mug of hot chocolate, made by simply heating chocolate soymilk in the microwave. Here are three other soy-rich comfort food ideas.

Turkey Tofu Chili offers a mix of proteins, combining ground turkey, with a triple burst of soy from edamame, diced water-packed firm tofu and unsweetened soymilk. The addition of bell peppers, onions, chopped garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and chickpeas, bring it all together, while seasoned with Worchestershire sauce, Tabasco, cumin, paprika, chili powder and cayenne.

Slow-Cooker Calico Beans are likely to become one of your go-to meals. They fit your busy lifestyle and are enhanced by small, cooked pieces of cooked pork or turkey bacon. All you need are a can of baked beans, a package of frozen, shelled edamame, a can of rinsed and drained black soybeans, and a cup of maple syrup or barbecue sauce.

Tofu Fudge Drop Cookies are one of the simple soy recipes that can satisfy your sweet tooth. Start with half a pound of silken tofu and half a cup soybean oil (vegetable oil), processed in a blender until smooth. In a medium bowl, add the tofu/soybean oil mixture with one and a half cups sugar, half a cup cocoa powder, and one Tablespoon each of vanilla and soymilk.

Mix in three cups of flour, one teaspoon salt and one of baking soda, until ingredients are well-combined. Form dough into one and a half-inch balls, then roll in sugar, until coated. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet, at 350°F, for 12 to 13 minutes.

For additional inspiring comfort food recipes and free, digital cookbooks, visit thesoyfoodscouncil. com.

The Soyfoods Council is a non-profit organization, created and funded by Iowa soybean farmers, providing a complete resource to increase awareness of soyfoods, educate and inform media, healthcare professionals, consumers, and the retail and foodservice market, about the many benefits of soyfoods.

Sustainability is a soy tradition. U.S. soybean farmers have practiced sustainable agriculture methods for decades. Currently, 95 percent of U.S. soy growers are committed to sustainable farming practices and partner with the USDA, to implement conservation programs. Soyfoods may play a significant role as a source of protein that minimally contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in comparison to other protein sources.