Sweet Azuki Bean Pie Food

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.

ANMAN - STEAMED BUNS WITH AZUKI (SWEET RED BEAN) PASTE

Steps:

• Making the Azuki Paste.
• Put the azuki beans in a large pot and fill with water. Let them soak overnight.
• Bring the beans to a boil.
• Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove the beans from the pot and drain them.
• Put the beans back in the pot and add 4 cups of water.
• Brings the beans to a boil.
• Turn down the heat and simmer the beans for around an hour, until they're soft.
• Drain the beans again.
• Put the beans back in the pot and add the sugar and salt.
• Simmer and stir the beans until they're thickened.
• Remove from heat and cool.
• Making the Buns.
• Combine the flour, suar, salt, yeast, and baking powder and mix well.
• Add the milk and water and mix well.
• Add the shortening and knead the dough until it's smooth (add a little extra flout if it gets too sticky).
• Let the dough rest for around 30 minutes, it will rise slightly.
• Divide the dough into 10 balls and flatten them.
• Take 1-2 spoonfulls of azuki paste, roll into a ball, and place in the center of one of the flattened dough balls.
• Wrap the dough around the azuki and pinch it closed on top (twist if needed).
• Repeat for the remaining dough balls.
• Let the anman sit for 15 minutes.
• Steam the anman for 15-20 minutes (a bamboo steamer works best). Add a little bit of white vinegar to the water to prevent discoloration.

MANJU (JAPANESE SWEET BEAN PASTE COOKIES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
• Beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Beat eggs, 1 at a time, into creamed butter until smooth; add vanilla extract and beat well.
• Sift flour and baking powder together in a bowl. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture, mixing well after each addition, until dough is smooth.
• Generously flour your hands. Make walnut-size balls from the dough and press into 4-inch circles on a floured surface, making the circles thicker in the center and thinner on the edges. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons koshi an in the center of each dough circle. Gather the edges together and pinch dough around the filling until sealed. Place dough balls, pinched-side down, on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Brush dough balls with evaporated milk.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.