Somalian Adzuki Beans Recipes

SWEET AND SOUR ADZUKI BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the oil (or butter) slightly in a 4-6 quart heavy saucepan.
• Add onion, and grate in garlic and ginger.
• Sauté on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized.
• Stir in tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in garam masala and turmeric.
• Stir in sake, deglazing the saucepan.
• Stir in maple syrup and raisins.
• Stir in adzukis, let them take in the flavours for about 3 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in water and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Add water, if needed while simmering, maintaining about 1 cup of water in saucepan at all times.
• Stir in apple cider vinegar, peppers and sea salt to taste.
• Simmer 30 minutes more or until adzukis are cooked through (add water if needed).
• Serve over white or brown rice.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro, and drizzle with sesame oil, if desired.

ADZUKI BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• In a medium sized non-stick pot, heat the olive oil and brown the onions and garlic. Add pepper flakes, allow them to heat till aromatic. Add chopped sausage, fry until oils come out.
• Add adzuki beans to pot, stir well to blend flavours then add stock cube, onion powder and peppers. Stir for a minute or two, then add in hot water.
• When mixture comes to the boil, add in brown rice. You can adjust the amount of water at this point if it appears too dry.
• Reduce heat, allow to cook slowly with the lid half off the pot. Once rice is half cooked, then you can stir. If you stir too soon, the rice with become mushy! It should be done after 20 minutes or so, depending on the type of rice and stove you have.
• Serve warm, topped with chopped scallions, or spring onions if you like, and a scoop of sour cream will go well with this too. Delicious!

BAKED ADZUKI BEANS WITH EGGPLANT AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pick over and discard any damaged beans or stones; rinse the beans, then place in a sauce pan adding plenty of water to cover; soak for a minimum of three hours (can be all day).
• Drain the beans and return to the sauce pan with enough water to cover by 2 inches.
• Add the bouquet garni and bring water to the boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the beans are tender (20 to 40 minutes); drain and set aside, discarding the bouquet garni.
• Place the eggplant cubes in a colander and sprinkle with kosher or sea salt; let drain for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels (this step can be done while the beans are boiling).
• Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
• In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat 4 TBS of the olive oil then add the eggplant and saute until lightly browned on all sides (5 to 10 minutes).
• When the eggplant has browned, transfer to a large baking dish (I use an oval 35 cm X 24 cm).
• In the same frying pan, heat the remaining 2 TBS olive oil and saute the onion until it begins to soften but not brown (about 5 minutes).
• Add in the garlic and continue to saute 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes, stock, allspice, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste; simmer slowly for 5 minutes, then transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
• Add the beans and the basil to the baking dish, and mix everything well.
• Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

BEST MANDAZI

Steps:

• 1.All pastry ingredients should be allowed to come to room temperature if they have been in the refrigerator. If using yeast: mix the yeast with a few spoonfuls of the warm water.
• 2.In a mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, Sugar, and spice (cardamom is most common in Eastern Africa). Add the yeast. Mix the water, butter, milk, and egg together. Gradually add this mixture to the flour while kneading into dough. Knead until a smooth and elastic dough is formed-fifteen to twenty minutes. If using yeast: Place dough in a clean bowl, cover with a cloth, and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour or more. If using baking powder, let dough rest for several minutes.
• 3.Divide the dough into several hand-sized pieces. Roll or press the pieces into circles about one-half inch thick. Cut circles into halves or quarters (or whatever you like). Some cooks place the doughs on a cookie sheet and let them rise a second time.
• 4.Heat a few cups of vegetable oil to 300 degrees Farenheit in a skillet or deep pot. Fry the doughs in the hot oil, turning a few times, until they are golden brown all over. Fry only as many together as can float in the oil without touching one another. Place on paper towels to drain. Serve warm.