Japanese Adzuki Bean Salad Recipes

JAPANESE ADZUKI-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Put beans in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a strong boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 1 hour. Add more boiling water if needed to maintain water level. When beans are tender, add salt to taste, and cook a few minutes longer. Drain and let cool.
• Whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, wasabi, and pepper. Slowly whisk in oils. Combine with beans and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Rinse hijiki well in cold water. Soak for 20 minutes, drain, soak again for 1 minute, and rinse again. Set aside.
• Arrange tatsoi on plates. Mix beans with cucumber and divide among plates. Garnish with hijiki and scallions.

AZUKI BEAN AND VEGETABLE SALAD IN PITA BREAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan combine beans with water to cover by 2 inches and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes for azuki beans or about 15 minutes for lentils. In a sieve drain beans and rinse. Drain beans well and transfer to a bowl.
• In a large saucepan of boiling salted water blanch carrots 1 minute and add broccoli stems. Blanch carrot mixture 2 minutes and drain in sieve. Rinse vegetables under cold water until cool and drain well. Add blanched vegetables to beans with celery, bell pepper, parsley, garlic, and provolone.
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Add oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified. Pour dressing over bean mixture and toss well. Salad may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Serve salad in pita halves.