Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste)

Description

The paste is used to hold together pastries, cakes, and other dishes that come from Japan, most commonly desserts.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried red beans
  • 4 cups water, divided, or as needed
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

Instructions

  1. Place beans in a saucepan and cover with 2 cups water; bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and discard water.
  2. Place drained beans in a clean saucepan and cover with 2 to 3 cups water. Bring to a boil
  3. reduce heat to low
  4. cover the saucepan
  5. and simmer
  6. adding more water as needed
  7. until beans are soft and can be crushed between your fingers
  8. 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain beans and discard water.
  9. Stir beans and sugar together in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook
  10. stirring constantly
  11. until sugar melts and beans form a loose
  12. shiny paste
  13. about 10 minutes. Immediately transfer the paste to a container to cool. Store
  14. covered
  15. in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Servings: 8

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