Organic Adzuki Anko and Dessert Soup Recipe

Adzuki beans (also known as azuki, aduki or red bean) are known for their common use in Japan to make sweet desserts. The Adzuki bean does not have a strong bean flavour, but gives a nutty taste, making it perfect as an inexpensive base for sweet treats! Adzuki beans are also easier to digest than other beans, so you won't find them hard on your system. The Adzuki is actually an aid to cleansing the kidneys!
 
The following recipe is an excellent introduction to making sweets with Adzuki beans. The first step to making a delectable adzuki dessert is to prepare the "anko". Anko is essentially a sweetened paste of properly cooked adzuki beans. This is the base for so many Japanese desserts.

Organic Anko
This type of anko is called tsubu-an. Tsubu-an includes the skins of the adzuki beans, while the koshian type is made by straining out the skins.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. or 1 1/3 cup organic adzuki beans
• 1 1/4 cup organic cane sugar or organic muscovado sugar. (Adjust the sweetness to your preference.)
• 1 tsp unrefined sea salt or Himalayan salt

Preparation:

• Soak the adzuki beans in lots of water overnight.
• On the stove-top, bring the beans to a boil.
• Turn down the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Drain the beans.
• Add four cups of water to the beans in the pot.
• Bring back to a boil.
• Turn down the heat to low and simmer the adzuki beans for about one hour, or until soft.
• Drain the beans.
• Add the sugar and salt.
• Stir and simmer beans until thickened.
  

Now that you have the anko, you can make the dessert.

Red Dessert Soup

• Add water and blend by hand until you have the consistency of a thick soup (thickness may vary depending on desired presentation).
• Cook with citrus peels over medium heat, using finely grated tangerine peels or orange peel powder.
• Cool & garnish with crushed nuts.
• Many times this soup is served over a piece of mochi (Japanese rice cake).
  

You'll find more azuki dessert recipes here in the future!