Mizu Yokan

Makes 4 Servings

Cooking + Prep Time:  1 hour & 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of agar agar (kanten), dried

To soak kanten: water, filtered

• 1 & 1/4 cups of water, filtered
• 1 cup of sugar, brown
• 3/4 lb. of bean paste, red, sweet azuki

Instructions:

1. To prepare gelatin, soak agar agar in large bowl with water for an hour or so, till it softens.

2. Remove agar agar from the water. Squeeze it, removing excess water.

3. Tear agar agar in small pieces with your hands.

4. In medium-sized pan, add agar agar and 1 & 1/4 cup water. Bring to boil while constantly stirring. Reduce heat level to low. Simmer till agar agar is completely dissolved, stirring constantly.

5. Add the brown sugar. Combine well.

6. Add bean paste. Be sure you stir frequently, so the bean paste will be diluted in mixture of water and agar agar. Simmer till mixture has thickened, then remove it from heat.

7. Pour mixture into rectangular, shallow plastic container and allow to cool down to room temperature. Place in refrigerator so it can chill. It should soon become firm.

8. Cut mizu yokan (the resulting dessert) in small cubes. Serve chilled.