Kintsuba

Kintsuba is a traditional Japanese sweet made with sweet bean paste and wrapped in a soft, chewy dough.

Ingredients - Serves 12

Rinse the azuki beans and soak them in water overnight.
Drain the beans and place them in a saucepan with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are soft.
Drain the beans again and return them to the saucepan. Add sugar and water, and cook over low heat until the mixture thickens to a paste-like consistency. Set aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, combine cake flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Gradually add water and mix until a soft dough forms.
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.
Take one dough ball and flatten it into a disc. Place a spoonful of the sweet bean paste in the center of the disc.
Fold the edges of the dough over the filling and pinch to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the filled dough balls in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Remove from the pan and let cool before serving.