Presenting the first recipe post of 2019! This recipe is new territory for me and I am pleased that I have kick started the year by going out of my comfort zone 😄

Soya Chunks or Soybean protein can be considered a "complete protein" since it provides all of the essential amino acids for human nutrition. Soy chunks are suitable for vegetarians, vegans and lactose-intolerant and hence, popularly used as a substitute for poultry and meat. Surprisingly, Soya Chunks have been reported to have a protein content higher to that of eggs or meat and contain negligible fat. However, there is considerable debate on the health benefits of soy products (especially the more processed varieties) and I am inclined to err on the side of caution and use it in moderation in my future cooking. 

Soya chunks are dry when you purchase them. They need to be reconstituted in water, which causes them to become spongy. Plain soya chunks do not have much flavor at all, but they absorb sauces, spices and flavorings exceptionally well. Soya chunks are inexpensive and easy to cook with. You can use them in salads, stew, soup, curry, rice dishes and stir-fries. On the downside, I've noticed that not everyone is a fan of this product. Some people do not like the smell and/or texture of soya chunks. 

As a mother, I am always concerned that my kids are not getting enough protein from their diet. It is important to me that they consume a balanced diet and incorporating plant-based protein is something I am consciously trying to do. With my little picky-eaters, I have failed with tofu and I'm terrified to even try tempeh and miso 😆 I'll admit I don't have much experience cooking with soya chunks. For some reason, the husband detests them and hence they rarely made an appearance on our dinner table. As for myself, I have a neutral opinion on soya chunks - don't love them but don't hate them either. I remember thoroughly enjoying a soya chunks pulao years ago at a friend's house but then had a bad tasting experience with a side dish sometime later. I picked up a packet from the supermarket recently and thought I'd make something for the kids and see how they react to it. 

This recipe is adapted from a wonderful blog that I have been following. I have made minor adjustments to the recipe to suit my taste. The resulting semi-dry side dish turned out quite good. We enjoyed them with rotis (even the husband sampled some). The good news is that my kids ate it (they declared it was paneer! 😆) and so in future, I will consider occasionally featuring soya chunks in recipes that I make for my kids 😊

Here is the recipe. Hope you like it too!