Spicy Edamame Chip Dip

Edamame is the famous bean on the health town's red carpet. Ask me what it doesnot provide...you can count on it for Fibers, Vitamin A,C, Iron, Calcium, Protein, Antioxidants etc...many other good things follow...cultivated in the Asian subcontinent, Edamame is called the 'Power Bean' of the current days. Why should we sit dumb without banking on this nutrient. I managed to steal a healthy recipe from a friend for you. It is a Dipping Sauce - Salsa kinda dish...

Ingredients:

* 2 cups - shelled and Cooked Edamame Beans

* Water - reserved after cooking beans

* 4 Tbsps - Olive oil

* Finely chopped fresh - Coriander leaves (Cilantro)

* 4 - large garlic cloves ( unpeeled)

* 1/4 tsp - cumin (jeera) powder

* 1/2 tsp - cayenne pepper or chilli powder ( based on your desired spice levels)

*Salt and Black pepper powder - for seasoning

* Fresh lime juice - for garnish

* Pita chips - for dipping

Directions to cook:

In a skillet over medium heat, roast garlic cloves until light brown and peel off the skin once cool. Chop the garlic cloves coarsely in a food processor. Add cooked edamame beans, cayenne pepper, cumin powder, salt and black pepper and grind. Add olive oil, lime juice and half of the chopped cilantro and just pulse once to combine. Add the water in which we cooked beans to the mixture, a little at a time until the mixture is smooth. Garnish with the rest of cilantro leaves. Our healthy dip is ready. If no chips at home, you can even spread it on Rotis and savor !!

- Prathyusha Talluri