| Prep: 60 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 398 | 2g | 0.4g | 84g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 22g | 7g | 11g | 0.01g |
Hello, everyone, it’s me, Eva, your Gourmet Guru. Today, I am thrilled to share a sumptuous vegetable-based recipe with you all. It’s called the Azuki Bean Sushi Roll. This recipe finds its roots in the land of the rising sun, Japan, yet it exudes a hello to my Cuban and Spanish roots as well. Deliciously wrapped in the pleasing palette of flavors, Azuki Bean Sushi Roll is a true journey towards the colorful culinary wonderlands.
My Journey Towards Creating This Variant
Being raised in Miami with traces of Cuban and Spanish heritage, my culinary journey revolved around Caribbean flavors and Spanish classics. Now, tapas might be my ruling queen, and tropical cocktails my faithful knight, but I am no less fond of experimenting with different cuisines, giving them a personal touch.
Azuki Bean Sushi Roll is one such recipe. It was during one of my dance teaching sessions where I met Tomoko, a Japanese expat. A taste of her homemade Azuki sushi inspired me to recreate a variant that would provide a seamless merge of the East and the West.
A Healthy Indulgence
What makes this recipe even more irresistible is that it aligns with anyone on a health spree. Azuki beans are celebrated for their ample health benefits: high in nutrients, excellent for heart health and great for digestion. The tang of fresh fruit brings a vibrant contrast to the subtly sweet beans, giving a wholesome nutritional punch in each bite.
If you are fond of traditional Spanish tortilla de patatas, you will find the Azuki Bean Sushi Rolls an imaginative variation of the egg potato casserole encased in nori sheets. The sushi can be devoured solo or savored with a bowl of warm Miso Soup, a traditional Japanese side which completes the sushi eating experience.
This recipe is not only about taste, it’s also about the experience. I can assure you that the process of creation is almost as enjoyable as the meal itself. So, put on your aprons, invite your friends or family, and let’s embark on a culinary journey of a lifetime!
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups Sushi Rice
- 1 cup Dried Azuki Beans
- 4 cups Water for boiling
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 1/2 cup Rice Vinegar
- 6 sheets Nori (Seaweed)
- 2 cups Fresh Fruit (like strawberries, kiwi, mango), sliced
- 1/3 cup Black Sesame Seeds
- Soy Sauce (for serving)
- Wasabi (for serving)
- Pickled Ginger (for serving)
Method
Step One
Begin by rinsing the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Then cook the rice according to the package instructions and set aside to cool.
Step Two
While the rice is cooling, place the dried azuki beans in a pot with the 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the beans are soft. Drain the beans and return them to the pot.
Step Three
Add the sugar, mirin, and rice vinegar to the pot with the beans. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and the beans are glazed and sticky. Set aside to cool.
Step Four
Lay a sheet of nori on a sushi mat, shiny side down. Wet your hands and spread a thin layer of sushi rice evenly over the nori, leaving about an inch free at the top.
Step Five
Spread a spoonful of the azuki beans in a line along the bottom third of the rice. Add a line of sliced fresh fruit on top of the beans.
Step Six
Roll the sushi tightly, using the sushi mat to help you. Once rolled, sprinkle the top with black sesame seeds and slice into bite-size pieces with a sharp knife.
Step Seven
Continue this process with the remaining ingredients. Once all the sushi rolls are prepared, serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger on the side.
