Cool (Sweet) Beans!

 One of my favorite restaurants in Kona is Manago Hotel.  While the pork chops cannot be beat, I usually end up eating the fried butterfish.  But the real treat in dining at the Manago Hotel is the side dishes which accompany the meal.  There is always a bowl of potato-macaroni salad, but the other three or four dishes are a surprise every time.  A few years ago, one of the side dishes I had was a plate of sweet kidney beans.

Sweet, cooked beans is a traditional japanese side dish.  While it doesn't call for a lot of ingredients, it does take a long time to prepare, especially if you count the soaking time.  I prefer this made with pinto beans, as kidney beans are not my favorite.  You could always use lima beans or cranberry beans too.

This is a great accompaniment to practically any Asian meal, but it also makes a nice addition to a green vegetable salad.

 click on recipe title for printable recipe
Sweet Beans

     3 c dried beans

     10 c water, divided

     3 c sugar, divided

     1 1/2 tsp salt

Rinse dried beans and soak overnight in 9 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, add 1 cup of water.  Skim scum as necessary.  Cook for 1-2 hours over medium-low heat until beans are tender.  Once beans are tender, add 1 cup sugar.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Add another cup of sugar.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Add last cup of sugar.  Cook for 1 hour.  Add salt and cook for 10 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, remove beans from liquid and place in a large, heat-proof bowl.  Set aside.  Boil sauce for 15 minutes.  Pour over beans.  Pack into containers and refrigerate.

 One of my favorite restaurants in Kona is Manago Hotel.  While the pork chops cannot be beat, I usually end up eating the fried butterfish.  But the real treat in dining at the Manago Hotel is the side dishes which accompany the meal.  There is always a bowl of potato-macaroni salad, but the other three or four dishes are a surprise every time.  A few years ago, one of the side dishes I had was a plate of sweet kidney beans.

Sweet, cooked beans is a traditional japanese side dish.  While it doesn't call for a lot of ingredients, it does take a long time to prepare, especially if you count the soaking time.  I prefer this made with pinto beans, as kidney beans are not my favorite.  You could always use lima beans or cranberry beans too.

This is a great accompaniment to practically any Asian meal, but it also makes a nice addition to a green vegetable salad.

 click on recipe title for printable recipe
Sweet Beans

     3 c dried beans

     10 c water, divided

     3 c sugar, divided

     1 1/2 tsp salt

Rinse dried beans and soak overnight in 9 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, add 1 cup of water.  Skim scum as necessary.  Cook for 1-2 hours over medium-low heat until beans are tender.  Once beans are tender, add 1 cup sugar.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Add another cup of sugar.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Add last cup of sugar.  Cook for 1 hour.  Add salt and cook for 10 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, remove beans from liquid and place in a large, heat-proof bowl.  Set aside.  Boil sauce for 15 minutes.  Pour over beans.  Pack into containers and refrigerate.