Red Bean Paste

Making the bean paste may be a little time consuming as it takes up 1 and a half hour. Ensure that you don't have other important things to do when you're making the paste as it needs checking out occasionally. Red beans get burnt easily, that's why you need to check it out constantly. This is also the reason why I didn't get the chance to take down any pictures as this is my first time making the red bean paste.

Ingredients:
180g Red Beans
180g Sugar
Pinch of salt
[Makes about 450g]

1. Soak beans for 1 hour. Strain, then place beans in a pot covered with an inch of water.
2. Bring to boil over high heat, drain and discard the water.
3. Add about 3 cups of water to a pot containing the par-boiled beans.
4. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cover the pot.
5. Simmer the beans until soft. Add a small amount of water when the water is absorbed by the red beans to prevent scorching.
6. Check out the beans occasionally while simmering as the red beans could easily get burnt.
7. The simmering process would take about 45min to 1hr and 15min to be done.
8. Once it is almost done, all the water should be absorbed completely by the beans. Add sugar and stirring gently until the bean paste is heated through and glossy.
9. Season with a pinch of salt and mix well. The paste should be thick with some whole and half-crushed beans.