Sweet Azuki Paste, ‘Tsubu-an’ and ‘Koshi-an’, are often called ‘Anko’ in Japanese. Freshly made Mochi covered with ‘Anko’ was one of my favourite foods when I was a young child. For the new year’s celebration, my family used to make an enormous amount of Mochi by pounding steamed Glutinous Rice. To make ‘Anko Mochi’, my …
In Japan, there is a popular summer treat called ‘Ujikintoki’ (宇治金時), which is basically Shaved Ice covered with Matcha Syrup, served with Sweet Azuki Paste. Sweet Condensed Milk and Mochi Dumplings are popular additions. The other day I really wanted to eat it, but Shaved Ice is actually not easy to make at home without …
This dish is very similar to my ‘Stewed Azuki (Red Beans)’, but I added Bacon and I cooked Azuki separately. If you use canned Azuki (Red Beans), it would be super quick and easy to cook. It can be served as a side dish OR you can eat it with Rice. Makes 3 to 4 …
In Japan where I grew up, Azuki (Red Beans) is most commonly used to make sweets, but I often use Azuki for savoury dishes such as ‘Azuki Rice’ and ‘Azuki & Carrot Salad’. Azuki can be cooked without soaking them in water to rehydrate, but it is a good idea to soak them for even …
Sweet Azuki Paste is very popular and it is used as a filling OR topping for many Japanese sweets. ‘Dorayaki’ and ‘Strawberry Daifuku Mochi’ and ‘An’ Doughnuts, the list would be endless. I love Sweet Azuki Paste but my husband doesn’t. When I baked these cupcakes, I expected he wouldn’t eat them. However, cupcakes disappeared …
When I was a little girl, Frozen Azuki Milk was a popular treat. It was available as an icy pole OR in a cup. It is actually easy to make at home if you have a freezer and ice tray. Milk can be sweetened with Sugar OR Condensed Milk, etc. Please use an ice tray …
‘An Pan’, Sweet Azuki Paste Stuffed Bun, is very popular in Japan. ‘An Pan’ is baked in the oven, but you can deep-fry them to make ‘An Doughnuts’, which is my favourite. As I have been reluctant to fry anything since my kitchen accident when I burnt my face with hot oil, today I cooked …
I have shared how to make ‘Strawberry Daifuku Mochi’ using Rice Paper on this website. Using the same ingredients, you can make this very ordinary style Rice Paper Rolls. Today I added firmly whipped Cream as well, but it is optional. You should eat it before the soft and rubbery texture of Rice Paper is …
‘Sekihan’ Azuki Rice is traditionally prepared to celebrate special occasions in Japan. ‘Sekihan’ is supposed to be cooked by steaming, but I use rice cooker as many people do so these days. Chestnuts is a very popular extra ingredient for ‘Sekihan’. Though I had nothing particular to celebrate today, I cooked ‘Sekihan’ with Chestnuts. This …
‘Tsubu-an’, sweet Azuki (Red Bean) paste, is very popular in many Asian countries. As it is sometimes called Azuki Bean Jam, it is made with a lot of Sugar. This ‘Dates & Azuki Paste’ is only sweetened with Dates. You can add some Sugar to make it sweeter, but you wouldn’t need a lot. This …
There is a popular summer dessert called ‘Mizu Yōkan’ in Japan. It’s a jelly, commonly made with smooth Azuki (Red Beans) Paste and Kanten. I started making it using Queen’s ‘Jel-It-In’ Vegetarian Gelling Powder because Kanten is not easy to find. Agar Agar Powder can be used. This is my recipe to make ‘Mizu Yōkan’ …
Steamed cake stuffed with ‘Tsubu-an’ (Sweet Azuki Paste) is one of my soul foods. It is easier to make than you think, however it can be challenging to wrap Azuki Paste with pastry. I absolutely recommend to freeze Azuki Paste. Roll it into balls, then freeze the balls, partially OR completely. That makes the wrapping …