Red Bean Soup

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Soak the azuki beans in water overnight to soften. (While the beans won't have completely softened, they will have expanded considerably). Drain.

3. Step 3

   About 2 hours before making the soup, place the dried lotus seeds in a bowl with enough water to cover.

4. Step 4

   In a medium saucepan, bring the 6 cups of water with the tangerine peel to a boil. (The soup can be thicker or thinner as desired. We usually start with 6 cups of water, and then add more boiling water at the end with the brown sugar if we want to thin it a bit.)

5. Step 5

   Turn the heat down, add the adzuki beans and lotus seeds and simmer, partially covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the beans are softened to the point where they are just beginning to break apart.

6. Step 6

   Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Taste and add more sugar if desired. (We usually start with 1/3 cup and then add more, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed). Thin the soup by adding boiling water if desired.

7. Step 7

   Remove the dried tangerine peel before serving.

8. Step 8

   Serve the red bean soup hot or cold.

9. Step 9

   Enjoy!