Anman - Steamed Buns With Azuki (sweet Red Bean) Paste

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups azuki beans
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup sugar (do no substitute)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cups flour (all or half half whole wheat)
• 3 1/2 tablespoons sugar (or other sweetener)
• 1 pinch salt
• 3/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 3/4 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/3 fluid ounces milk
• 3 1/3 fluid ounces water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

Recipe

• 1 making the azuki paste.
• 2 put the azuki beans in a large pot and fill with water. let them soak overnight.
• 3 bring the beans to a boil.
• 4 turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• 5 remove the beans from the pot and drain them.
• 6 put the beans back in the pot and add 4 cups of water.
• 7 brings the beans to a boil.
• 8 turn down the heat and simmer the beans for around an hour, until they're soft.
• 9 drain the beans again.
• 10 put the beans back in the pot and add the sugar and salt.
• 11 simmer and stir the beans until they're thickened.
• 12 remove from heat and cool.
• 13 making the buns.
• 14 combine the flour, suar, salt, yeast, and baking powder and mix well.
• 15 add the milk and water and mix well.
• 16 add the shortening and knead the dough until it's smooth (add a little extra flout if it gets too sticky).
• 17 let the dough rest for around 30 minutes, it will rise slightly.
• 18 divide the dough into 10 balls and flatten them.
• 19 take 1-2 spoonfulls of azuki paste, roll into a ball, and place in the center of one of the flattened dough balls.
• 20 wrap the dough around the azuki and pinch it closed on top (twist if needed).
• 21 repeat for the remaining dough balls.
• 22 let the anman sit for 15 minutes.
• 23 steam the anman for 15-20 minutes (a bamboo steamer works best). add a little bit of vinegar to the water to prevent discoloration.