17 Japanese Bean Paste Recipe Ignite Your Passion For Cooking!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
Japanese bean paste, also known as anko, is a staple ingredient in traditional Japanese desserts. Made from adzuki beans, this sweet paste is commonly used in mochi, dorayaki, and other popular treats. In this article, we will walk you through a simple and authentic recipe for making your own Japanese bean paste at home. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and versatile paste that will elevate your desserts to the next level.
Main Ingredients: Chinese Sausage, Dried Scallops, Shrimp, Crabmeat
If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, then you've probably heard of XO sauce. This rich and spicy seafood sauce has been a staple in Cantonese cooking for decades, and now you can make your own version at home. Impress your friends and family with this easy recipe that packs a punch of umami flavor. Start by gathering dried scallops, shrimp, and chili peppers. Soak the scallops in hot water until they soften, then chop them into small pieces. Next, grind the shrimp and chili peppers together in a food processor. Mix everything together with some garlic, shallots, and oil. You can store this sauce in the fridge for up to a month, but trust us, it won't last that long.
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Yu Xiang Pai Gu Mian (Sichuan Noodle and Pork Shoulder...
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Boneless Pork Shoulder, Garlic, Ginger
This spicy noodle soup is perfect for cold winter nights. The combination of noodles, tender pork shoulder, and spicy broth will warm you up from the inside out. To make this dish, you'll need to marinate the pork shoulder with soy sauce, rice wine, and ginger. Then, cook the pork with some onion, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. Add some chicken broth, chili bean paste, and black vinegar to the pot and let everything simmer for an hour. Cook the noodles separately and then mix them together with the broth and pork. Top it off with some green onions, and you have a delicious and comforting meal.
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Spicy Chicken Miso Soup With A Poached Egg
Main Ingredients: Beef, Dashi Powder, Mirin, Soy Sauce, Onion, Carrot
For a twist on traditional miso soup, try this spicy chicken miso soup with a poached egg. The combination of miso paste, chicken broth, and chili oil creates a rich and flavorful base for this soup. Cook some chicken in the broth until it's fully cooked, then remove it and set it aside. In a separate pot, cook some udon noodles until they're al dente. Add some miso paste and chili oil to the broth and stir until everything is well combined. For the finishing touch, add a poached egg on top and garnish with some green onions and dried seaweed. This soup is the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and comforting.
If you're a fan of ramen, then you have to try abura soba. This dish originated in Tokyo and features thick noodles topped with a spicy pork sauce. The pork is cooked in a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, sake, mirin, and chili bean paste. Boil the noodles until they're cooked, then drain and rinse them. Heat up the pork sauce and pour it over the noodles, then top it off with some green onions, sesame seeds, and chili oil. This dish is perfect for when you're craving something hearty and spicy.
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Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) Snow Skin Mooncake |...
Main Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Flour, Rice Flour, Wheat Starch, Matcha
Mooncakes are a traditional dessert eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival in many Asian countries. This version is made with matcha, a Japanese green tea powder that adds a unique and delicious flavor to the snow skin. To make the snow skin, mix together glutinous rice flour, icing sugar, and matcha powder. Knead the dough until it's smooth, then roll it out and wrap it around a filling of your choice, such as red bean paste or lotus seed paste. These mooncakes are not only delicious but also a beautiful addition to any celebration.
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Okinawa Soba Mazemen
Main Ingredients: Hot Water, Sesame Oil, Ground Pork, Salt, Pepper
This noodle dish is a popular street food in Okinawa, Japan. The noodles are served dry, with a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, pork, and chili peppers. Start by cooking some pork belly until it's crispy, then set it aside. In the same pan, cook some garlic, ginger, and chili peppers until fragrant. Add some soy sauce, chicken broth, and a touch of sugar to the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Cook some noodles and toss them in the sauce. Top it off with the crispy pork belly and some green onions for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Kale Tomato-Miso Tsukemen
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Garlic, Peanut
Tsukemen is a style of ramen where the noodles are served separately from the broth, allowing you to dip the noodles into the broth as you eat. This version features a rich and flavorful tomato-miso broth and is topped with sautéed kale for some added greens. To make the broth, cook some tomatoes, garlic, and ginger in a pot until they're soft. Add some miso paste and chicken broth and let it simmer for a few minutes. Cook the noodles until they're al dente and serve them with the broth, topped with sautéed kale and your choice of protein, such as pork or chicken.
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24-hour Veggie Ramen, With The Added Cultural...
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Water, Dried Shiitake
This ramen recipe is perfect for vegetarians, as it's packed with all sorts of vegetables and plant-based protein. The broth is made by simmering vegetables, such as carrots, onions, and mushrooms, for 24 hours to extract all the delicious flavors. Cook some noodles and add them to the broth, then top it off with your choice of vegetables, such as bok choy, corn, and bean sprouts. Add some tofu or tempeh for a protein boost. This ramen is not only delicious but also a great way to get your daily dose of veggies.
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Anmitsu (Japanese style sundae) and Mitsumame Dessert...
Main Ingredients: Kanten, Water, Sugar, Fruit Cocktail, Anko, Green Tea
Anmitsu is a popular Japanese dessert made with agar jelly, fruit, and sweetened red beans. Mitsumame is a variation of this dessert, where the agar jelly is replaced with boiled beans and a sweet syrup. To make anmitsu, boil some azuki beans and cook them with sugar until they're soft and sweet. Then, make the agar jelly by heating up agar powder, sugar, and water until it thickens. Combine the jelly, beans, and fruit in a bowl and top it off with some sweet syrup and a scoop of ice cream. This dessert is refreshing and full of different textures and flavors.
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Szechuan Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken Thighs, Dark Soy Sauce, Light Soy
This classic Szechuan dish features tender chicken cooked in a spicy and flavorful sauce. The key to this dish is the Szechuan peppercorns, which add a unique and numbing sensation to the dish. Start by marinating the chicken in soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Cook the chicken in a wok or pan until it's almost fully cooked, then remove it from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, cook some garlic, ginger, and chili peppers until fragrant. Add the chicken back to the pan with some chicken broth, soy sauce, and Szechuan peppercorns and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked. Serve it over rice for a delicious and spicy meal.
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Spicy Vermicelli Stir-fry (蚂蚁上树)
Main Ingredients: Vermicelli Noodles, Cooking Oil, Bean Paste, Chilli
Also known as "ants climbing a tree," this dish gets its name from the way the vermicelli noodles wrap around the ground pork, resembling ants climbing up a tree. The noodles are cooked in a spicy sauce made with soy sauce, chili bean paste, and Szechuan peppercorns. Start by soaking the vermicelli noodles in hot water until they're soft, then cook them in a wok with some oil, garlic, and ginger. Add the ground pork and cook until it's fully cooked, then add the sauce and let everything simmer for a few minutes. This dish is perfect for when you're craving something spicy and comforting.
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Eggplant Mapo Tofu
Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Cornstarch, Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Mapo tofu is a popular Szechuan dish made with tofu and a spicy sauce. This version adds eggplant for some extra flavor and texture. The sauce is made with chili bean paste, soy sauce, and Szechuan peppercorns, creating a bold and spicy flavor. Cook the eggplant in a pan until it's soft, then remove it and set it aside. In the same pan, cook some garlic, ginger, and green onions until fragrant. Add the tofu and sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes. Add the eggplant back to the pan and let everything cook together for a few more minutes. Serve it over rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Korean Black Bean Noodles
Main Ingredients: Oil, Bean Paste, Sugar, Pork Belly, Onion, Garlic
This dish, also known as jajangmyeon, is a popular Korean dish made with chewy noodles and a thick, savory black bean sauce. The sauce is made from black bean paste, pork belly, and vegetables, creating a rich and flavorful base for the noodles. Cook the pork belly until it's crispy, then remove it and set it aside. In the same pan, cook some onions, zucchini, and cabbage until they're soft. Add the black bean paste and let it cook for a few minutes, then add some chicken broth and let it simmer until it thickens. Serve the sauce over noodles and top it off with the crispy pork belly and some cucumber slices.
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Korean Black Bean Noodles (Jajangmyeon)
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Pork Belly, Daikon, Onions, Zucchini
This dish, also known as jajangmyeon, is a popular Korean dish made with chewy noodles and a thick, savory black bean sauce. The sauce is made from black bean paste, pork belly, and vegetables, creating a rich and flavorful base for the noodles. Cook the pork belly until it's crispy, then remove it and set it aside. In the same pan, cook some onions, zucchini, and cabbage until they're soft. Add the black bean paste and let it cook for a few minutes, then add some chicken broth and let it simmer until it thickens. Serve the sauce over noodles and top it off with the crispy pork belly and some cucumber slices.
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Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles
Main Ingredients: Oil, Szechuan Peppercorns, Garlic, Sesame Paste, Light
Dan dan noodles are a popular street food in Szechuan, China. The combination of spicy, numbing Szechuan peppercorns and savory ground pork creates a unique and delicious flavor for this dish. To make the sauce, cook some ground pork with garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns until it's fully cooked. Add some chili bean paste, soy sauce, and chicken broth and let it simmer until it thickens. Cook some noodles separately and mix them with the sauce. Top it off with some green onions and peanuts for some added crunch. This dish is perfect for when you're craving something spicy and flavorful.
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Easy Salted Caramel Sauce
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Water, Heavy Cream, Unsalted Butter
Salted caramel is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in many different desserts. This recipe makes a simple and easy version that you can whip up in no time. Start by melting butter and brown sugar in a saucepan, then add some heavy cream and let it cook until it thickens. Add some salt and vanilla extract for some added flavor. This sauce is perfect for drizzling over ice cream, dipping fruit, or adding to your favorite baked goods.
If you're a fan of fluffy, thick pancakes, then you have to try this Japanese version. The secret to these pancakes is separating the egg whites and yolks and whipping the egg whites until they're stiff, then folding them into the batter. This creates a light and airy texture that is sure to impress. Top the pancakes with your favorite toppings, such as fresh fruit, whipped cream, or maple syrup. These pancakes are perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast or brunch.
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Black Bean Beef Stir Fry with Celery
Main Ingredients: Beef, Garlic Cloves, Bean Paste, Rice Vinegar, Minced
This quick and easy stir fry is perfect for a busy weeknight meal. The combination of black bean sauce, tender beef, and crunchy celery is a winning combination. Marinate the beef in soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch, then cook it in a pan until it's almost fully cooked. Add some chopped celery and cook until it's slightly soft, then add the black bean sauce and let everything cook together for a few minutes. Serve it over rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Asian Beef Noodle Soup - Low Carb & Gluten Free
Main Ingredients: Sesame Oil, Bean Paste, Garlic, Ginger, Lime Peel, Fish
This soup is perfect for those following a low-carb or gluten-free diet. Instead of noodles, this recipe uses shirataki noodles, which are made from konjac yam and have almost no carbs or calories. Start by marinating the beef in soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. Cook the beef in a pot until it's almost fully cooked, then add some beef broth, ginger, and shirataki noodles. Let everything simmer until the beef is fully cooked and the noodles are soft. Serve it with some green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for some added flavor and texture.
Ddukbokki, also known as tteokbokki, is a popular Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes and a spicy sauce. The sauce is made from gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, and sugar, creating a sweet and spicy flavor. Cook some rice cakes in boiling water until they're soft, then drain them and set them aside. Cook the sauce in a pan until it thickens, then add the rice cakes and stir until they're coated in the sauce. Add some fish cakes and green onions for some added flavor and texture. This dish is perfect for when you're craving something spicy and comforting.
Ingredients for Japanese Bean Paste Recipe
To make Japanese bean paste, you will need the following ingredients:
1. Adzuki Beans
The star ingredient of this recipe is adzuki beans, which can be found in most Asian grocery stores. These small red beans are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
2. Sugar
To balance out the natural bitterness of the adzuki beans, we will need to add sugar to the paste. You can use white or brown sugar, depending on your preference.
3. Water
Water is needed to cook the adzuki beans and create a smooth paste. Make sure to use enough water to cover the beans and prevent them from drying out.
4. Salt
Adding a pinch of salt to the paste will help enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness.
Instructions for Making Japanese Bean Paste
Step 1: Start by washing and soaking the adzuki beans in water for at least 2 hours. This will help soften the beans and reduce the cooking time.
Step 2: Drain the beans and transfer them to a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, or until the beans are soft and easily mashed.
Step 3: Drain the beans and transfer them to a food processor or blender. Add sugar and salt, then blend until you get a smooth paste.
Step 4: Transfer the paste back to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes together in a ball. This can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes.
Step 5: Once the paste is thick and shiny, remove it from the heat and let it cool down.
Using Japanese Bean Paste
Now that you have made your own Japanese bean paste, you can use it in a variety of desserts. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Mochi
Mochi is a popular Japanese dessert made from sticky rice flour and filled with various fillings, including anko. Roll the bean paste into small balls and use them as a filling for your mochi.
2. Dorayaki
Dorayaki is a type of pancake sandwich filled with anko. Simply sandwich a spoonful of bean paste between two pancakes for a delicious treat.
3. Anmitsu
Anmitsu is a traditional Japanese dessert consisting of anko, agar jelly, and various fruits. Use your homemade bean paste as one of the toppings for a refreshing and tasty dessert.
In conclusion, Japanese bean paste is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can elevate your desserts to a whole new level. With this simple and authentic recipe, you can now make your own anko at home and enjoy it in a variety of traditional Japanese treats. So why not give it a try and impress your friends and family with your homemade bean paste?