Sweet Red Bean Soup [0000350]

Ingredients:

1 cup dried adzuki beans
5 cups water
1/2 cup rock sugar or sweetener of choice
1 strip dried tangerine or orange peel
1 tablespoon glutinous rice flour (optional, for thickening)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Coconut milk or coconut cream (optional)

Steps:

Rinse the adzuki beans thoroughly and soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
In a pot, combine soaked adzuki beans and 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the beans are soft (about 1-1.5 hours).
Add rock sugar, dried tangerine peel, and vanilla extract to the pot. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
If you prefer a thicker consistency, mix glutinous rice flour with a bit of water to create a slurry. Add it to the pot and stir continuously until the soup thickens.
Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Remove the dried tangerine peel.