Adzuki Bean Brownies

Looks like a brownie, right?

At the moment, I'm categorizing this one as an interesting experiment. Interesting enough to make again in its current form? No. Interesting enough to tinker with? Yes. Perhaps I'll update this post later with an improved version.

I had leftover anko (red bean paste) from making steamed red bean buns, and so I decided to try this recipe for super healthy brownies. I've tried black bean brownies before that they were good, and red beans are even sweeter, so it seemed like it would work. I do love that this recipe only has healthy ingredients. No artificial sweeteners, no butter/oil, and in fact no dairy OR flour, for anyone avoiding either of those things.

Everything except the oats. Super easy.

Baked! Looking PRETTY much like brownies...

In the end, it tastes too healthy. The consistency is like... um... like a couple of bananas, some bean paste, and oats baked together. In other words, not fluffy, and not rich, either. If I try this again, I think I'll start from a more traditional black bean brownie recipe (yes, I just called black bean brownies "traditional") and just substitute the adzuki beans.

Or maybe I'll think of it as more of a breakfast bread, and modify in that direction. If you taste it while thinking that it's going to be banana bread, it's definitely better than if you're expecting a brownie.

The only change I made from the original recipe is that I replaced the "Korean rice syrup" with honey. Maybe the Korean rice syrup was the secret.

The Recipe:

1 c anko (red bean paste)

2 ripe bananas

1/3 c honey

1/4 c unsweetened cocoa

1 tb cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c instant oats

Blend everything except oats in a food processor.
Mix in the oats.
Pour into a greased 9-inch-square pan.
Bake at 350 for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes up relatively clean.
Allow to cool for an hour. It will continue solidifying during this time.

The Verdict:

Overall grade: C

Overall reason: It's not a brownie.

Time to prepare: 5 minutes, plus baking and cooling time.

Husband quote: "Mmm! A banana brownie."

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