Soya is one of the best plant-based proteins; it’s hearty, filling and can be easily added to both Indian and global recipes. Many people believe soya needs time to be prepped, especially if it has to be sued in curries since it needs a marination.However, since soya is quite tender and absorbs flavours quickly, it’s marination process is fairly quick and it also cooks fast.
The best thing about soya is that it can be used in both dry and gravy recipes. You can add roasted soya chunks to a biryani or a pulao or you can saute it and add it to your leafy green salad, for some added texture. Here are some other soya recipes which can be cooked within a few minutes.
Soya Chunks Curry
Start by sautéing onions, tomatoes, and spices in oil until they are softened and aromatic. Then, add soaked and squeezed soya chunks to the mixture. Allow the flavors to meld together as you cook everything until the curry reaches a thick consistency. Serve hot with rice or roti for a satisfying meal.
Soya Keema
Begin by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger until they turn golden brown. Add minced soya granules and cook them with spices until they are thoroughly combined and cooked through. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving. Soya keema pairs excellently with naan or pav, making for a hearty and flavorful dish.
Soya Pulao
Heat ghee or oil in a pan and sauté whole spices until they become fragrant. Add soaked soya chunks and rice, and stir gently to coat them with the spices. Pour in water or vegetable broth and cook until the rice is tender and fluffy. Garnish with fried onions and serve hot as a delicious main course.
Soya Masala
Cook soya nuggets in a spicy and tangy tomato-based gravy. Begin by preparing a paste of onions, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic. Sauté this paste in oil until it thickens and releases oil. Add spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, and garam masala along with soaked and squeezed soya nuggets. Cook until the nuggets absorb the flavors of the masala. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with rice or chapati.
Soya Kebabs
Mix minced soya granules with mashed potatoes, finely chopped onions, green chilies, and coriander leaves. Season with salt, garam masala, and chaat masala. Shape the mixture into kebabs and shallow fry them until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides. Serve hot with mint chutney and salad for a delightful appetizer or snack.
Soya Bhurji
Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions until they are translucent. Add tomatoes and cook until they soften. Stir in spices like turmeric, red chili powder, and cumin powder. Add soaked soya granules and cook until everything is well combined and heated through. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with bread or as a filling for parathas.
Soya Tikka Masala
Marinate soya chunks in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, and lemon juice. Skewer the marinated chunks and grill them until they are cooked and slightly charred. Prepare a creamy and tangy tomato-based masala sauce separately. Dip the grilled soya tikka into the sauce and serve hot as a flavorful and protein-rich dish.