The Adzuki bean originated in China, but is now grown throughout East Asia and the Himalayas. Japan is the country where azuki is most popular. There they prepare red bean paste from it, which is used to fill traditional mochi cakes. Azuki beans are suitable for both sweet and savory dishes. Traditionalists in the kitchen can cook it like ordinary Bulgarian beans. Compared to it, azuki evaporates relatively quickly, is easily digested and does not form gases. It is great in salads, rice dishes, bean meatballs, pâtés, for sprouting and more.
The nutritional profile of azuki beans offers many health benefits. It is rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and vitamins such as niacin, thiamine and riboflavin. Azuki is an excellent source of easily digestible fiber, which makes it suitable for weight loss diets. In addition, red beans are low in calories. It is also recommended for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, normalizing blood pressure and blood sugar.
Bob azuki is easy to cook. When cooking it is necessary to follow a few simple rules, valid when cooking Bulgarian beans:
Rinse the azuki bean and soak it in water for eight hours.
Then squeeze it and wash under running water.
In the pot in which you will boil it, pour water in a ratio of 1 to 3 - for 1 cup of beans 3 cups of water.
After the water boils, simmer for 45-50 minutes or until soft.
Add salt after it softens.
Cooked azuki beans are easy to include in a variety of salads, dishes and desserts. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Azuki beans are also suitable for germination. To do this, place the soaked beans in a glass jar. Cover the neck of the jar with a piece of cheesecloth and secure it with an elastic band or string. Then turn the jar over and secure it at an angle so that the water drains and the air circulates. Rinse and squeeze the beans twice a day for 3-4 days, placing the jar in the same position. Once the beans germinate, rinse well and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Sprouted beans should be consumed within 2-3 days. The sprouts can be eaten raw as a salad or cooked in soups and stews. They can even be dried and then ground into flour.
Nutritional value per 100 g:
Energy value - 1493 kJ / 357 kcal
Fat - 1.6 g of which saturated - 0 g
Carbohydrates - 58.4b g, of which sugars - 0 g
Protein - 21.5 g
Fiber - 7.5 g
Salt - 0 g
Origin: China