Hearty Adzuki Bean Concoction: Zensai Delight
Title: Adzuki Bean and Mochi Dish: A Sweet Japanese New Year Treat
Delve into a delightful, bean-and-mochi dish reminiscent of porridge, known as Zensai, during the Japanese New Year celebrations. That's right, the stylish EN Japanese Brasserie in New York City offers this scrumptious version on their New Year's menu!
Wondering where to find the right ingredients for this yummy creation? Head to your local Asian market to snag the adorable small, sweet red beans—Adzuki beans. Here's the run-down:
This delicious dish was part of our New Year's, Japanese Style recipes series.
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy peasy
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients (5)
- 1/2 cup dried adzuki beans
- 1 2/3 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 sliced Basic Savory Mochi (Age Mochi)
Directions
- Pop the beans in a medium pot, cover with cold water by about 2 inches, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and let 'em simmer until tender, around 55 to 60 minutes. (You'll know they're ready when they mash easily between your fingers.)
- Drain the beans through a fine mesh strainer and give the pot a good rinse. Return the pot to the stove and add the cooked beans, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium low and let it simmer until the cooking liquid thickens slightly, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in mochi, heat through, and serve this sweet concoction!
While "Zensai" usually refers to appetizers, it's possible you're thinking of a distinct preparation involving Adzuki beans. This simple Adzuki bean and mochi dish is a traditional delight in Japanese cuisine.
Interested in a more traditional Adzuki bean porridge recipe? Look no further!
Adzuki Bean Porridge (Red Bean Porridge)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Adzuki beans (aka red beans)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon sugar (opt.) for sweetness
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (opt.)
Cooking Instructions:
- Rinse the Adzuki beans well and soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Place them in a large pot with 4 cups of fresh water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for around 45 minutes, or until the beans are soft and mushy.
- Add sugar and salt (opt.) to taste, and mash the beans to your desired consistency.
- Serve warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
Happy cooking! This scrumptious Adzuki bean and mochi dish is perfect for any occasion—not just the New Year!
The Adzuki bean and mochi dish we featured in our 'New Year's, Japanese Style recipes' series is a simplified version available at the EN Japanese Brasserie in New York City. This dish is similar to a porridge and is traditionally known as Zensai during Japanese New Year celebrations.
To prepare the traditional Adzuki bean porridge (or red bean porridge), soak the Adzuki beans for at least 4 hours, then simmer them for around 45 minutes before adding sugar and salt to taste.
Once your ingredients are gathered, the Adzuki bean and mochi dish recipe has 'Servings': 4, 'Difficulty': Easy peasy, 'Prep Time': 1 hour 30 minutes, and 'Cook Time': 15 minutes. Happy cooking, as this scrumptious dish is perfect for any occasion!
