I get Tempeh from Tempe.

Tempeh (pronounced Tem-pay) may look a little scary (What is that?  Grain?  I’m not a cow.  And the white stuff?  I think its moldy, is it moldy?   Blech, I’m gonna stick my my taco bell mystery meat, thank you very much.), and it may sound a bit scary after I explain it, but (as I have said repeatedly on this blog) trust me, its good.

Tempeh is whole softened soybeans fermented with a Rhizopus mold, depending on the type of tempeh you purchase it may or may not contain other grains and ingredients.  You’re scared, I know, calm down that was the tough part, here comes the good part.

The health benefits of tempeh are numerous. As opposed to many other soyfoods tempeh is made from whole soybeans. Also the tempeh fermentation changes the properties of the soybeans. Therefore, tempeh has the following additional health benefits (I lifted this from tempeh.info):

1. High fiber content – One serving of tempeh contains more fiber than most peoples consume in one day. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive tract as well as preventing many chronic diseases.
2. Tempeh is easy to digest – Tempeh is a great choice for people who have difficulty digesting plant-based high-protein foods like beans and legumes or soy foods such as tofu. The process of fermentation makes the soybeans softer, since enzymes produced by the mould predigests a large portion of the basic nutrients. The Rhizopus moulds produce an enzyme phytase which breaks down phytates, thereby increasing the absorption of minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium.
   The fermentation process greatly reduces the oligosaccharides that make beans hard to digest for some people. Studies have shown tempeh to be essentially non-flatulent and producing no more gas than non-legume food.
3. Ideal for people on low sodium diets – Unlike other fermented soy products, like miso which is very salty, tempeh is extremely low in sodium.
4. Contains natural antibiotics – Rhizopus moulds produce natural, heat-stable antibiotic agents against some disease-causing organisms. Indonesians who eat tempeh as a regular part of their diet recognize it as a medicine for dysentery and rarely fall victim to the intestinal diseases to which they are constantly exposed.
5. Good for diabetic patients – The protein in tempeh is excellent for diabetic patients, who tend to have problems with animal sources of protein. The protein and fiber in tempeh can also prevent high blood sugar levels and help in keeping blood sugar levels under control.

I would add that soy protein is a complete protein (containing all essential amino acids) and that one serving of tempeh provides 39% your daily value alone.

Yes, it could have all these wonderful benefits and you wouldn’t eat it cause it tastes like dirty socks.  I have good news for you, it doesn’t taste like dirty socks.  Tempeh has a firm texture and a great nutty mushroom flavor.  It has quickly become a staple at our dinner table, and has become one of my favorite foods.  So go out and buy some tempeh tonight so you’re ready for my tempeh recipe tomorrow.  You can buy tempeh at any Whole Foods Store, some supermarkets carry it in their natural foods section, and almost all health food stores have it.