Japanese Sweet Azuki Beans

Name: Japanese Sweet Azuki Beans
Total time: 5400 s
Yield: 1 serving
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 150 g Azuki beans (about 3/4 cup or 150 ml); 100 g Light brown or regular sugar (about 1/2 cup), more or less depending on taste; 1 pinch Salt; Ice water

Felice @morinoko

Connecticut, United States

A traditional Japanese sweet that can be used in many ways! Making it at home is surprisingly simple, and more texture, flavor and not to mention much less sugar than the store-bought kind. Try as a topping for rice dumplings (dango) or ice cream, turn into "anko" paste for bread and dessert fillings, use to make sweet porridges, or get creative!

Felice @morinoko

Connecticut, United States

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Ingredients

90 mins

1 serving

150 gAzuki beans (about 3/4 cup or 150 ml)
100 gLight brown or regular sugar (about 1/2 cup), more or less depending on taste
1 pinchSalt
Ice water

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Steps

90 mins

1

Soak beans overnight in a pot covered with an inch or two of water.
2

The next day, heat the pot of beans until they are almost ready to boil.
3

Meanwhile, prepare a big bowl of ice cold water, which you'll be throwing the beans in next. This will "shock" them and help crack the skin so they become softer easily when boiling.
4

Drain off the hot water from the beans. Immediately throw them into the ice water.
5

Drain beans and put back in pot. Pour in enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for about 60 minutes until soft. Skim off any foam that rises while simmering. If the water gets low, add a little more.
6

Once the beans are soft (they should be easily mashable), mix in the sugar. I used about 100g/half cup. But I recommend starting with less and adding a little at a time until it's sweet enough for you.
7

Bring to a simmer again, making sure the sugar is dissolved. If it's too soupy, simmer off some of the liquid.
8

That's it! You can optionally pour off some of the water and mash into a paste (called anko). Store it for up to week in the refrigerator, or freeze it along with the liquid.
9

There are lots of ways to use and turn sweet azuki into yummy Japanese goodies: -eat over rice dumplings (dango 団子）or ice cream -use paste as spread for bread or baked inside sweet buns -Made into "zenzai" soup along with "mochi" (rice cakes). Search and explore the internets for more ideas ;)

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Felice @morinoko

on September 27, 2015 00:34

Connecticut, United States

I grew up in Southern Germany and Ohio, and spent 10 years in Japan. I love bread baking, #German food, and healthy, homestyle cooking in general inspired by my family and the seasons.Follow my cooking adventures on Instagram :)https://instagram.com/morinoko_