Red Beans and Rice

[zhemao]

Here's a filling meal for people on a budget: beans and rice. I made mine using red beans (azuki beans), but most other kinds of beans would work.

Ingredients:

• Red beans (1 cup)


• White rice (2 cups)


• Garlic


• Scallions


• Dashi stock (chicken or vegetable stock would also work)


• Vegetable oil


• Salt

Directions:

1. If using dried beans, reconstitute them by soaking in cold water overnight (at least 8 hours). Make sure there is plenty of water in the container, as the beans can absorb a lot of liquid.


2. Drain the beans, put them in a pot of water and bring to boil. Boil for 30 minutes on medium heat.


3. Meanwhile, wash the white rice in cold water until the water is clear. Soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes.


4. When the beans have finished boiling, drain the water into a bowl for later use.


5. Thoroughly drain the white rice.


6. Finely chop two cloves of garlic.


7. Chop two scallion stems into bite-sized pieces.


8. Add a spoonful of oil a pan and heat up on medium high.


9. Add the scallions and garlic to the oil and stir until fragrant.


10. Add the rice and beans. Stir to mix everything evenly.


11. Keep stirring until the oil is absorbed. Then let it sit for a while, mixing occasionally, to get a bit of toasting on the rice.


12. Transfer everything to the rice cooker pot.


13. Add 3 cups of stock, 1 cup of reserved bean water, and a tablespoon of salt. Mix well.


14. Close the rice cooker and set it to cook. Once the rice cooker finishes, you're all done.

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