Red Bean Paste (Hong Dou Sha) | Anko Recipe

Step 1

Rinse beans in water and soak them overnight. The next day, drain and discard the soaking liquid.

Step 2

Next, boil the beans in roughly 4 cups of water (or a large enough amount). Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover it with a lid. Intermittently check on the beans to make sure they are still submerged in water.

Step 3

After about an hour, test the tenderness of the bean by crushing it with your fingers. Make sure it is soft and easily crushed.

Step 4

Remove the lid, stir the beans, and add the sugars. Boil until thickened.

Step 5

Strain the mixture through a sieve and mash until the mixture is combined. Then, cool in the fridge until the mixture has solidified into a red bean paste.