Sweetened Black Sesame paste is a popular filling for Asian dessert dumplings. You can make it quite easily by adding finely ground Black Sesame Seeds to sweet Azuki (Red Bean) paste that is commonly available from most Asian grocery stores. I like the Black Sesame & Azuki mix version better than Black Sesame only version.


Ingredients

1 cup Sweet Azuki (Red Bean) Paste
4 tablespoons Toasted Black Sesame Seeds
2 tablespoons Water
1 to 2 tablespoons Muscovado (Dark Brown Sugar)

Method
  1. You can use canned Sweet Azuki (Red Bean) Paste, but I find it too sweet. If you make it from scratch, see my recipes ‘Tsubu-an’ OR ‘Koshi-an’.
  2. If you use raw Black Sesame Seeds, toast them using a saucepan for a few minutes or until aromatic. Place the toasted Sesame Seeds in ‘Suribachi (Japanese mortar)’ and grind into smooth paste. Then combine all ingredients well.
  3. If you use a food grinder or small food processor, process Toasted Black Sesame Seeds with Water and Muscovado. Then you may wish to add Sweet Azuki (Red Bean) Paste and process all together until smooth.