Somalian Adzuki Beans Food

SOMALIAN ADZUKI BEANS

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight with enough water to cover an inch or 2 over the beans.
• Drain beans and add 2 cups of water and beans to a large saucepan.
• Bring to a boil then turn down to low heat. Simmer on low for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After the 25 minutes, the water should be absorbed. Add butter and cream.
• Stir well and keep on low. Cook 10 more minutes, stirring often.
• In the last 2 minutes, stir in nutmeg and sugar then serve.

ADZUKI/ADUKI RED BEAN PASTE

Steps:

• Measure out about 1 dry cup of dried adzuki beans. You will probably have leftover, adzuki beans definitely multiply when cooked. Soak the beans overnight.
• Next day, bring about 4-5 cups of water to a boil, then let the beans simmer for 35-40 minutes or until soft, with the pot lid loosely covered.
• Drain the beans, and measure out 2 cups now that they're cooked. (Save the leftover beans for veggie burger or roasting purposes, or other adzuki confections!).
• Put the cooked beans and 1 1/2 cups of sugar plus a little water into a food processor and puree it until there are almost no more bean pieces left.
• Pour the paste into a colander fitted over a large bowl, and let strain overnight (at least 6-8 hours.).
• When it's all done straining the next day, there should be a lot of liquid in the bottom of the bowl and the paste inside the colander should be nice and thick. It's ready for use now! It can be refridgerated for up to a week, then frozen for a few months for future use.

ADZUKI BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Wash the adzuki beans well in several changes of water, then drain.
• In a large pot, bring the 6 cups water to a boil.
• Add all ingredients and boil rapidly for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
• You may puree fully or partially for a smoother soup, but I prefer it just as it is.
• Serve with slices of GOOD bread!

SWEET AND SOUR ADZUKI BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the oil (or butter) slightly in a 4-6 quart heavy saucepan.
• Add onion, and grate in garlic and ginger.
• Sauté on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized.
• Stir in tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in garam masala and turmeric.
• Stir in sake, deglazing the saucepan.
• Stir in maple syrup and raisins.
• Stir in adzukis, let them take in the flavours for about 3 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in water and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Add water, if needed while simmering, maintaining about 1 cup of water in saucepan at all times.
• Stir in apple cider vinegar, peppers and sea salt to taste.
• Simmer 30 minutes more or until adzukis are cooked through (add water if needed).
• Serve over white or brown rice.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro, and drizzle with sesame oil, if desired.

BAKED ADZUKI BEANS WITH EGGPLANT AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pick over and discard any damaged beans or stones; rinse the beans, then place in a sauce pan adding plenty of water to cover; soak for a minimum of three hours (can be all day).
• Drain the beans and return to the sauce pan with enough water to cover by 2 inches.
• Add the bouquet garni and bring water to the boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the beans are tender (20 to 40 minutes); drain and set aside, discarding the bouquet garni.
• Place the eggplant cubes in a colander and sprinkle with kosher or sea salt; let drain for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels (this step can be done while the beans are boiling).
• Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
• In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat 4 TBS of the olive oil then add the eggplant and saute until lightly browned on all sides (5 to 10 minutes).
• When the eggplant has browned, transfer to a large baking dish (I use an oval 35 cm X 24 cm).
• In the same frying pan, heat the remaining 2 TBS olive oil and saute the onion until it begins to soften but not brown (about 5 minutes).
• Add in the garlic and continue to saute 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes, stock, allspice, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste; simmer slowly for 5 minutes, then transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
• Add the beans and the basil to the baking dish, and mix everything well.
• Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

ADZUKI BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• In a medium sized non-stick pot, heat the olive oil and brown the onions and garlic. Add pepper flakes, allow them to heat till aromatic. Add chopped sausage, fry until oils come out.
• Add adzuki beans to pot, stir well to blend flavours then add stock cube, onion powder and peppers. Stir for a minute or two, then add in hot water.
• When mixture comes to the boil, add in brown rice. You can adjust the amount of water at this point if it appears too dry.
• Reduce heat, allow to cook slowly with the lid half off the pot. Once rice is half cooked, then you can stir. If you stir too soon, the rice with become mushy! It should be done after 20 minutes or so, depending on the type of rice and stove you have.
• Serve warm, topped with chopped scallions, or spring onions if you like, and a scoop of sour cream will go well with this too. Delicious!