Quick & Easy Vegan Oshiruko: Japanese Red Bean Soup with Sweet Potato Mochi (Soymilk Maker Recipe)

há 2 semanas

Are you craving a traditional Japanese dessert but short on time? Oshiruko, a comforting sweet red bean soup, is often a labor of love, requiring hours of simmering. But what if you could enjoy this wholesome, creamy delight in a fraction of the time? This recipe solves that very problem, offering a quick, easy, and healthy way to make authentic vegan oshiruko right in your own kitchen using a modern kitchen marvel: a soymilk maker!

Red beans (azuki beans) are not just delicious; they offer a wealth of health benefits, packed with protein, fiber, and essential minerals. This homemade version allows you to control the sugar content, ensuring a healthier treat without compromising on the smooth, rich flavor. To make this delightful dessert even more special, we’ve added soft, chewy sweet potato mochi as a topping, elevating the texture and taste. Get ready to impress yourself and your family with this delightful dairy-free, egg-free, and whole-food vegan dessert that’s perfect for any time of year.

Ingredients

Red Beans: A generous amount of dried beans (exact quantity to suit your soymilk maker's capacity for thick soups/porridge).
Water: For soaking and cooking.
Sweetener: Your preferred amount of sugar or a natural alternative.
Sweet Potato Mochi: Small, homemade or store-bought sweet potato mochi for topping (optional).

Equipment

Soymilk Maker (with a soup/porridge function)
Small Pot (for mochi, if making from scratch)
Serving Bowls

Instructions

Prepare Red Beans: Rinse the red beans thoroughly. For best results and quicker cooking, pre-soak the red beans overnight or for at least 4 hours. This significantly reduces cooking time and helps achieve a smoother texture.
Load Soymilk Maker: Drain the soaked red beans and transfer them to your soymilk maker. Add fresh water up to the recommended fill line for soup or porridge.
Cook: Select the "soup" or "porridge" function on your soymilk maker. The machine will cook and blend the beans to a creamy consistency, typically taking around 25 minutes.
Sweeten: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully open the soymilk maker. Add your desired amount of sugar or sweetener to the hot red bean soup. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
Prepare Sweet Potato Mochi (if using): While the red bean soup is cooking, boil or steam sweet potato mochi until soft and chewy.
Serve: Pour the hot, creamy oshiruko into individual serving bowls. Top with the warm sweet potato mochi.
Enjoy: Serve immediately and savor this homemade, healthy, and incredibly easy Japanese dessert!

Ingredients laid out for Japanese Red Bean Soup (Oshiruko) with Sweet Potato Mochi

Variations & Adaptations

Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. For a truly healthy option, consider natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave syrup, or dates.
Alternative Toppings: Instead of sweet potato mochi, you can top your oshiruko with plain mochi, chestnuts, dango (rice flour dumplings), or even a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
Texture: If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can use fewer red beans or opt for a "jam" or "porridge" setting on your soymilk maker if it has one that doesn't fully blend the mixture. Alternatively, blend only a portion of the beans.
Flavor Boost: A pinch of salt can enhance the sweetness. For an extra layer of Japanese authenticity, add a tiny amount of matcha powder or a drop of vanilla extract for a subtle aroma.

Tips & Hacks

Pre-soaking is Key: Don't skip the pre-soaking step! It drastically cuts down cooking time and ensures your beans cook evenly to that perfect, creamy consistency.
Soymilk Maker Efficiency: Ensure your soymilk maker is clean and the blades are sharp for the best blending results. Refer to your appliance's manual for specific settings for thick soups or purees.
Batch Cooking: Make a larger batch and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It can be gently reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Mochi Mastery: For the sweet potato mochi, ensure it's cooked just until tender. Overcooking can make it too soft, while undercooking leaves it hard.

Ready to try this comforting Japanese classic at home?