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GIANT RED BEAN BUN INSPIRED BY SPIRITED AWAY

Name: Giant Red Bean Bun inspired by Spirited Away
Cook time: 7200 s
Total time: 7200 s
Yield: 3
Ingredients: For the Red Bean Paste (Anko); 2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed; 6 cups water; 2 cups brown sugar; kosher salt, to taste; 1 1/2 tbsp neutral oil; For the Bun Dough; 560 g plain flour; 11 g instant dry yeast; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 30 g fine sugar; 30 g vegetable oil; 320 g whole milk

cook:

2 h

Picture for Giant Red Bean Bun inspired by Spirited Away

744,052 views Warm, comforting, and nostalgic, this giant red bean bun inspired by Spirited Away is a simple way to feel like you've been transported right into one of Alvin's favorite movies.

3 servings

original

metric

INGREDIENTS

For the Red Bean Paste (Anko)

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

6 cups water

2 cups brown sugar

kosher salt, to taste

1 - 2 tbsp neutral oil

For the Bun Dough

560 g plain flour

11 g instant dry yeast

½ tsp salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

30 g fine sugar

30 g vegetable oil

320 g whole milk

TOOLS

Babish measuring cups and spoons set

pressure cooker

fine mesh sieve

food processor

Babish pan

rubber spatula

Babish saucepan

stand mixer with dough hook attachment

Babish mixing bowl

plastic wrap

bench scraper

Babish paring knife

steamer basket

large pot

DIRECTIONS

For the Red Bean Paste

Combine the beans and water in the bowl of a pressure cooker.

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

6 cups water

Babish measuring cups and spoons set

pressure cooker

Seal the pressure cooker and cook the beans on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow the steam to release naturally from the pressure cooker.

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

pressure cooker

While the beans are cooking, make the Bun Dough.

For the Bun Dough

Remove any scum from the surface of the cooking liquid, then strain the beans. Transfer to a food processor.

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

fine mesh sieve

food processor

Process the beans in the food processor until completely smooth.

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

food processor

Using a rubber spatula, pass the bean paste through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium pan. This may take longer, but it's essential to the paste consistency.

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

Babish pan

fine mesh sieve

rubber spatula

Stir in the brown sugar and cook the mixture over medium heat until thickened to the consistency of a thick batter, about 20 minutes.

2 cups brown sugar

Babish pan

Babish measuring cups and spoons set

rubber spatula

Finish with a splash of oil to enhance caramelization.

neutral oil

Babish pan

Season the paste to taste with salt and allow it to cool to room temperature before using.

kosher salt, to taste

Babish pan

10.

For the Bun Dough

In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add dry ingredients and mix until fully combined.

560 g plain flour

11 g instant dry yeast

½ tsp salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

30 g fine sugar

stand mixer with dough hook attachment

Babish measuring cups and spoons set

Then add milk and combine into a shaggy dough, knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until a smooth pliable dough forms.

320 g whole milk

stand mixer with dough hook attachment

Babish measuring cups and spoons set

Using your hands, form the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place and allow to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

For the Bun Dough

Babish mixing bowl

plastic wrap

For the Red Bean Bun Assembly

Remove from the bowl and gently divide into 2 equal portions. Work with one dough ball at a time, rolling it out to circle around 8 inches in diameter.

For the Bun Dough

bench scraper

Once rolled, fill with red bean paste and trim any excess dough.

For the Bun Dough

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

Babish paring knife

Gently pull the sides up over the red bean paste, shaping it into a ball.

For the Bun Dough

2 cups adzuki beans, rinsed

Seal and pinch the top of the bun, tucking the pinched portions in. Cover with plastic wrap and repeat with the second dough ball and allow to rise for 20-30 minutes.

For the Red Bean Paste (Anko)

For the Bun Dough

plastic wrap

Add 2 inches of water to a medium saucepan and set steamer baskets over top.

Babish saucepan

steamer basket

Place 1 bun per basket and cook, checking every 10 minutes until the dough starts to show resistance when poked. This may take a while depending on how even your stovetop is.

steamer basket

large pot

Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes, repeating the process with any leftover buns you make with the remaining Red Bean Paste and Bun Dough.

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