Garlic and Red Chili Pepper Flake Edamame Beans

True life, I tried sushi for the first time just three short years ago.

It was a mega revelation.

I was a picky kid to begin with but I also have a shellfish allergy and the thought of accidentally mingling with some in a sushi roll freaked me out. I mean who wants to go to the hospital during dinner. I eventually got so curious that when Jared brought me home three simple sushi rolls on a busy evening… I gave it a go. I think there was a blend of a spicy tuna roll, yellowtail and a veggie roll. After those three rolls, I never looked back! I did however always have a thing for the edamame beans! 

Sushi is now included in our diets weekly and is one of my favorite busy weeknight meals. Which meant like this entire month! 

This was a crazy content induced month. The day after Valentines Day I had an insane video shoot that took up more time and brain focus than I could ever imagine. What I thought would be like any other shoot turned out to be one of the most exhausting days ever. Abbie and I were up till midnight the night before cleaning every ounce of the kitchen, prepping all the ingredients for the recipes and coming up with fun talking points for each video so I wouldn’t sound like a crazy person and say everything was ‘yummy’ every thirty seconds.

The whole day was produced with two camera man, a producer, myself, Abbie (my right hand business woman), Sabrina (my amazing friend that did all my outfits), boyfriend Jared for moral support and Rascal for stress management lolz in my tiny 800 sq ft home. Afterwards I took everyone out to my favorite little market for SUSHI! These are the moments that I love being a ‘boss’. I love taking everyone out and feeling humbled with hard working people around me. I will never take for granted these celebratory sushi dinners no matter what opportunities come my way! 

One of my favorite things to whip up for sushi nights at home are some funky flavored edamame beans! 

I can seriously whip these together in the time it takes Jared to unwrap all of our takeout sushi. You can order the beans straight with your order or if you keep them on hand (we love to snack on edamame!) just throw them in a skillet with all the ingredients. In five minutes you will have the most perfect asian appetizer. I love serving them up with this salmon sheet pan dinner and as a side with loaded miso soup bowls! 

The base is just a few simple ingredients whisked together and poured over the beans in a hot skillet. Within five minutes that asian-ginger-garlic aroma is waving through your whole kitchen and you just know its time for some sushi! We typically and historically (pretty much all of senior year of college) have had sushi on Fridays but this edamame recipe is great for any day of the week and a great appetizer to asian flavored meal! 

Garlic and Red Chili Pepper Flake Edamame Beans

1 Lb of edamame beans, cooked (most packs come precooked)
1 Teaspoon of sesame oil
1 Tablespoon of olive oil
2 Tablespoons of soy sauce (i used low sodium) 
2 Tablespoons of red chili sauce
Juice of half a lime
1 Teaspoon of red pepper flakes
3 Garlic cloves minced
2 Teaspoons of fresh ginger, grated
Sesame seeds for topping! 

In a small bowl whisk together oils, soy sauce, red chili sauce, lime juice, red pepper flakes, garlic cloves, and fresh ginger. Pour into a medium heavy bottom skillet on medium heat. Heat for 1-2 minutes and then add in edamame beans. Stir mixture together and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until edamame is warmed through and sauce has thickened. Serve with toasted sesame seeds on top!

Warning* These taste like little asian french fries but in veggie form. Copious amounts may be eaten at one given serving! Also! If you like it spicy add in more red chili pepper flakes!