Azuki BeaN Sweet Rice Dessert

I told you last week that Chef Azuki would teach us to prepare azuki bean "an" from scratch.  I never make anything from scratch, but I might just give this a try.  I like it that you can alter the amount of sugar you put in and play with the amount of water to create the consistency you desire for different types of desserts.

Azuki Bean Sweet Rice Dessert

Ingredients:
1 C sweet rice
1 C Azuki Beans (dry)
4 C water (twice) + extra if needed
2/3 C sugar

Directions:
1.  Soak beans for two hours in 4 C of water in a small pot
2.  In a rice cooker prepare rice according to package.  If you want it like rice pudding add half cup        extra water.
3. After 2 hours of soaking the beans remove any floating particles,  drain and put in another four cups of water in the pot.
4. Cook on medium heat for 1-2 hours, stirring it occasionally
5.  Add more water if it looks like it's evaporating too much
6.  Keep stirring and add sugar, gradually pouring it in as you stir constantly
7.  Heat to desired consistency
8.  Remove the pot from the heat and lightly grind the beans in a food processor, if desired
9.  Remove the rice from the rice cooker
10. Allow both to briefly cool and then mix together


You can use these beans for this sweet rice dessert, for the manju dessert from last week, or you can even pour over shaved ice with a little condensed milk for kintoki shaved ice. Chef Azuki and I both remember our moms making inverted manju with the rice in a ball and the "an" on the outside.  The ideas are simmering!   I'm sure you can think of more delicious treats.  Try it, you'll like it!

BeaNspirations:  Sometimes it's good to take your time and let your ideas simmer!