How To: Make edamame

Edamame are immature whole green soybeans—the only vegetable with a complete protein that's similar to animal protein. And because they're actually kind of fun to eat, they're an excellent snack. . . and pretty tasty with beer, too. They are cheap and good for you. Learn how to make edamame.

You Will Need
* A 3- or 4-quart pot
* Water
* 3 tbsp salt
* 1 lb edamame in pods, frozen or fresh
* A colander
* A sink
* 2 dishes or bowls
* Coarse sea salt

Step 1: Fill pot & put on stove
Fill the pot three-quarters full with fresh, cold water, and put it on stove on high heat.

Step 2: Add salt
Add 3 tablespoons of salt to the water.

Step 3: Reduce heat & cook
When the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium high, add the edamame pods, and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Turn off stove & place colander
Turn the stove off and place a colander in the sink.

Step 5: Drain & cool
Pour the hot water and edamame into a colander, and run cold water over the cooked edamame to cool it.

Step 6: Place in dish
Place the cooled, drained edamame in a dish.
*Tip: If you like, sprinkle the pods with coarse sea salt.

Step 7: Eat
To eat, press the pods between your fingers to push the beans out, or put two-thirds of the pod in your mouth and, clamping your teeth gently over the pod, pull it out, popping the beans into your mouth.
*Tip: If you want to use edamame in a salad, cook them first and then shell them all by hand—trying to shell an uncooked edamame is like trying to take food from a sumo wrestler.

Step 8: Discard pods
Discard the pods into another dish—nobody likes reaching for an edamame and coming up with an empty shell!