Rice with Azuki Beans (Osekihan)
Rice with Azuki Beans (Osekihan) is just a sticky rice cooked with azuki beans, but the colour of the rice is so attractive. Osekihan is often served on special occasions, particularly celebrations. It is also great for bento box.Prep Time is the time to soak sticky rice in water. Cooking time assumes the time to cook rice in a rice cooker is 45 minutes, but this varies depending on the rice cooker.
- Prep time
- 30 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 540ml/15.2oz sticky rice ((3 rice cooker cups, note 1))
- 60-80g/2.1-2.8oz dried azuki beans ((note 2))
- 750ml/25.4oz water
- Gomashio ((note 3))
Instructions
- 1
Wash rice and soak in water for at least 30 min. Drain using a sieve.
- 2
Wash azuki beans and transfer to a saucepan with water (not in ingredients) just to cover the beans.
- 3
Bring it to a boil, then drain the water.
- 4
Add 750ml/25.4oz water to the pan with azuki beans and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- 5
Reduce heat to medium and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the beans are cooked to al dente (the centre of the bean is a tiny bit hard). Remove scum (white bubbles) from time to time while cooking.
- 6
Drain and keep the beans in a sieve and the red liquid in a bowl.
- 7
Scoop the liquid in the bowl with a ladle and pour it back gently into the bowl 4-5 times, allowing the liquid to be exposed to air. This will brighten the red colour of the liquid. Use a fan to send more air to the liquid if you want.
- 8
Mix rice and azuki beans in a rice cooker. Add the red liquid to the level required for sticky rice/sweet rice. Add water if not enough red liquid. Turn the switch on.
- 9
When cooked, mix gently using a spatula. Serve with gomashio either sprinkled over the rice or in a separate container for individuals to sprinkle.