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Perfumed Adzuki Beans and Rice with Bourbon and Bacon

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Perfumed Adzuki Beans and Rice with Bourbon and Bacon

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by Sarah Shatz

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by gingerroot

healthierkitchen's Testing Notes: Gingerroot has come up with a terrific twist on a popular comfort food dish. We enjoyed this dish right out of the pan for a warming lunch during a cold snap. This is easy to prepare and full...
Gingerroot has come up with a terrific twist on a popular comfort food dish. We enjoyed this dish right out of the pan for a warming lunch during a cold snap. This is easy to prepare and full of flavor, with bits of smoky bacon providing crunch and nice tender, yet firm beans providing a lovely bite. The bourbon gives the dish some nice extra flavor; I would even add a little more. I was not able to locate volcano rice in my area, but used a mix of red and brown rices, the instructions of which both advised cooking time similar to volcano so I didn't even have to adjust cooking time. I highly recommend the leftovers warmed up with a fried egg on top -- delicious! - healthierkitchen

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Chef
gingerroot's Notes: The flavor profile of adzuki (or azuki) beans tends toward sweet; here in Hawaii, they are ubiquitous, not only in traditional Japanese confections such as yokan, or stuffed in mochi, or manju...
The flavor profile of adzuki (or azuki) beans tends toward sweet; here in Hawaii, they are ubiquitous, not only in traditional Japanese confections such as yokan, or stuffed in mochi, or manju, but even as an addition to your shaved ice (if you’ve been to Matsumoto’s on the North Shore, you know what I’m talking about). Although I have never loved the beans in these sweet applications, I could not resist pairing them with the layered, complex smoky-sweet of Bourbon and uncured applewood smoked bacon. Cooking the beans with Volcano rice adds another lovely fragrance and nutty, almost vanilla dimension. - gingerroot

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Serves 4-5

1/2 cup dried adzuki beans, rinsed, picked over, soaked in water overnight Ask a question about this ingredient

3 strips thick, uncured, applewood smoked bacon Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup Volcano rice, rinsed Ask a question about this ingredient

2 tablespoons good bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark Ask a question about this ingredient

3 cups water Ask a question about this ingredient

1-2 tablespoon agave nectar (start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste) Ask a question about this ingredient

pinch of salt, to taste Ask a question about this ingredient

In the morning after soaking overnight, discard any beans that are floating. Drain water. If you are not going to cook right away, cover container with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
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Slice bacon in half, lengthwise, and then chop into small pieces. Add bacon to cold saucepan or Dutch oven and turn heat to medium. Cook bacon until fat is rendered and pieces are crisp and golden. Transfer cooked bacon to a small bowl and set aside. Drain off all but one tablespoon of grease.
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Add beans to pan, stir, and then add rice. Stir to coat in bacon drippings. Add bourbon, stir and cook, about a minute, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add water, bring mixture to a simmer, and cover pan, lowering heat. Cook until liquid is absorbed and beans and rice are tender, about 30-35 minutes.
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Fluff mixture with a fork.
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Add 1 tablespoon of agave, reserved bacon pieces, and mix into beans and rice. Add additional agave if necessary. Add salt to taste. Serve hot or warm and enjoy!
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16 Comments on Perfumed Adzuki Beans and Rice with Bourbon and Bacon

lorigoldsby added 2 months ago

I just saw a bag of these beans in my pantry and thought, I need to find a good recipe for these, and then it was a featured recipe! Ask and you shall receive?

gingerroot added 2 months ago

I've definitely had that experience here - having an ingredient on hand and a recipe presenting itself...funny how that happens. In any case, thanks so much, Lori! I hope you enjoy!

BoulderGalinTokyo added 2 months ago

I would like to try this but I don't know Volcano rice- brand name or a type like mochi rice?

sdebrango added 2 months ago

I saw in the testing notes that healtheirkitchen could not get volcano rice so used a combination of red and brown rice which has the same cooking time. Maybe gingerroot will see this and give some insight or suggestions.

gingerroot added 2 months ago

Hi BGT, Volcano rice is from Indonesia and Lotus Foods sells it. http://www.lotusfoods.com/Volcano-Rice/p/LOT-503219&c=LotusFoods@SRI
If you can't get volcano rice, the Lundberg mix of red and brown rice that healthierkitchen used will also work. Hope you enjoy it!

healthierkitchen added about 1 year ago

Volcano rice at my new WF market! Will make again and use the volcano this time!

gingerroot added about 1 year ago

Yay! So glad to hear you'll be making it again. Thanks, healthierkitchen.

hardlikearmour added about 1 year ago

This sounds yummy! Could I substitute honey for the agave?

gingerroot added about 1 year ago

Thanks, hardlikearmour. It is definitely comfort food. I think a mild honey would work, or even maple syrup. I'd just start by adding 1 tablespoon and then more to taste. Hope you enjoy it if you try it!

healthierkitchen added about 1 year ago

I think maple syrup would be delicious - add to the smoky flavor! I made this yesterday and it's terrific. We've had a cold snap, so it was great hot, love the bacon bits mixed throughout!

drbabs added about 1 year ago

LOVE Matsumoto's, but I think we liked the shave ice at the base of Diamondhead even better! (Maybe because we had just hiked up and back in the rain..............) Thanks for a great recipe!

gingerroot added about 1 year ago

Oh, do you mean Waiola Shave Ice? They ARE the best in my opinion - the ice is so soft. Plus, the lines are not as long...Thanks, drbabs!

healthierkitchen added about 1 year ago

sounds just delicious!

gingerroot added about 1 year ago

Thanks so much healthierkitchen!

healthierkitchen added about 1 year ago

I'll be testing this, but I'm not sure I've seen volcano rice around my area. There is a Lundberg mix with a couple of red and a brown rice - do you think that would work? I'll miss out on the vanilla scent, I know.

gingerroot added about 1 year ago

Hi healthierkitchen! Thanks for testing this. I was actually really surprised to find volcano rice in the bulk bin at one of my local health food stores - I don't remember ever seeing it before. Lotus Foods is another brand I've seen that makes volcano rice. If you can't find it, I think the Lundberg mix would be fine; the resulting texture might be slightly different. Hope you enjoy it!