Originally from Asia and much used in the Japanese diet, adzuki beans are small, reddish-brown beans, rounded in shape with a point at one end. They have a strong, nutty, sweet flavor similar to that of a kidney bean, but with skin that is much more tender.

 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 “Adzuki juice” is prepared by simmering one cup of beans in five cups of water for an hour (remove the juice and continue cooking the beans).  Take 1/2 cup juice 1/2 hour before meals to help with kidney complaints. Regular use of the juice with meals increases mother’s milk.

Preparation:

• Soak overnight to reduce cooking time, rinse and drain thoroughly.  For 1 cup beans, add 3.25 cups water, cover and simmer 45 min.

• For 1 cup dried beans, add 2 to 3 cups of water, cover and simmer for 2 hrs.

• If using a pressure cooker, add 2 to 3 cups of water and cook for 45mins.

• Yields approximately 3 cups cooked beans

These guidelines represent minimum cooking times.  In many traditional cultures, they simmer legumes all day to ensure digestibility.  To avoid flatulence introduce beans gradually into your diet. If using canned beans, please note that most varieties are canned in a salt solution, so rinse well before using.

Serving Ideas

• Stir fry with onion, vegetables and rice and serve in a spicy tomato sauce.

• They are often cooked to a red soft consistency and served with such ingredients as coconut milk.
• In the East it's also common to find, adzuki beans sweetened with sugar and made into cakes and sweetmeats.
• Adzuki Beans are ideal for sprouting and can be added to salads or sandwiches.

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Adzuki Multi Grain Mix Stew 00000000000000000000000000000000000000 Gluten-free, great to eat during a cleanse or detox 00000000000000000000000000000000000000 Serves 1

- 6 Tbsp each of  

• Adzuki beans

• Black Eye Beans

• Mung beans

• Brown Rice

• Millet

• Quinoa

- 1 Vegetable stock cube, or equivalent 000000000000000000000000000000000000000 - Turmeric powder and fenugreek seeds to taste (optional)

In the morning, put all ingredients in a saucepan, cover well with water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20mins.  Turn off the heat and let soak throughout the day.  That evening, bring to a boil again and serve hot.

Also makes for a very nutritious lunch – can be prepared the night before, soaked overnight, brought to a boil again in the morning, and brought to work in a thermos.

Enjoy!!