Wondering what to do with leftover soybean pulp? Make your own okara tempeh! This homemade tempeh is high in protein, has no bitterness, and can be used in countless ways!
Prep Time : 45 minutesmins
Incubation Time : 2 daysd
Total Time : 2 daysd45 minutesmins
Servings 1loaf
Calories 110kcal
Ingredients
Okara Tempeh
1 and 1/2cupsokara (leftover soybean pulp from making homemade soy milk)
Line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel. Spread out the the soybean pulp over the kitchen towel and let it dry for about 1 hour at room temperature.
Next, transfer the soybean pulp to a mixing bowl. Add the white vinegar and stir using a wooden spoon to combine. Sprinkle the tempeh starter and stir again.
Prick a small freezer bag with a thin fork (or toothpick) 8-10 times to create small holes in the plastic bag. Add the soybean mixture to the freezer bag and pack it tightly into a loaf of about 1-inch thickness. I usually just fill half of the bag and fold it in half.
Add about 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot liner. Place the loaf on top of the steam rack, making sure it doesn't touch the water. Close the Instant Pot with the lid.
Set on yogurt mode "Less" for 20 hours. After 20 hours, you should see some while mold. Use a paper kitchen towel to remove the excess condensation on the lid and on the bag. Close the Instant Pot with the lid again and leave it inside for another 15-20 hours. If your kitchen is cold, turn the Instant Pot on yogurt mode again.
Check again after that, the mold should have grown even more. At this point, if the loaf is firm and fully white, you can remove it from the plastic bag and use immediately, or keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If your loaf is not fully covered with white mold, place it in a warm room or next to a heat source for another 10-15 hours, the mold will keep growing.
Use the tempeh in curries, burgers, stir-fries, etc!
Notes
Use a good-quality tempeh starter. For optimal results, use a good quality starter. Stay away from the cheap ones. One more thing: ensure that your starter is not expired.
Be patient. Let the tempeh incubate until it is completely covered with white mold. Otherwise, it will not hold together well and might crumble. Don't be impatient! If incubated for at least 48 hours, your tempeh should be perfectly sliceable and will not crumble, even less than regular tempeh!
Remove the condensation. If you see too many water droplets in the Instant Pot, use a clean kitchen paper towel to wipe it.
If your kitchen is cold, leave the Instant Pot in yogurt mode for 30 to 40 hours. Do not turn it off after just 20 hours.