Black bean dessert may sound simple, but there’s a trick to getting it just right. It’s a popular Vietnamese treat made by cooking black beans with water and sugar, often served with ice and a drizzle of banana oil, crushed peanuts, or shredded coconut. Many home cooks struggle to replicate the dessert sold by street vendors, often ending up with mushy beans and murky water.
The secret lies in the initial preparation of the beans and a surprising ingredient: baking soda. Let’s dive into the steps to achieve perfectly soft yet intact beans for this delightful dessert.
Ingredients:
– Black beans (choose small, firm, and evenly colored beans)
– Rock sugar, white sugar, or palm sugar, according to your preference
– 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Steps to cook black bean dessert without mushy beans:
– Preparing the black beans:
Rinse the beans thoroughly and remove any floating beans as they are likely damaged. Rinse multiple times to ensure the beans are clean.
– Parboiling:
Place the beans in a pot of water and bring to a boil for 3 minutes. Drain the water, as this step helps eliminate any impurities and the strong bean odor.
Soaking the beans with baking soda:
Add fresh water to the pot, enough for cooking the dessert. Bring it to a boil, then add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Stir well, let it simmer briefly, and then turn off the heat. Cover the pot and let it sit until the water is nearly cool. Baking soda helps soften the beans while keeping them intact.
Simmering the beans:
After soaking, turn the heat back on and bring the water to a boil again. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for a few minutes until the beans are soft.
Coating the beans with sugar:
Separate the cooked beans from the liquid and set the liquid aside. Return the beans to the pot with a small amount of the liquid, add sugar, and simmer over low heat for 5-7 minutes. This allows the sugar to coat the beans, giving them a glossy finish.
Final touches:
Pour the previously set-aside liquid back into the pot and bring it to a boil once more, and your dessert is ready!
Serving suggestions:
Serve the dessert in a glass with ice and a few drops of banana or vanilla oil. For an extra indulgent treat, add a splash of coconut milk, crushed peanuts, or shredded coconut.
Tips for cooking black bean dessert:
– Avoid overcooking the beans after adding baking soda, as it can make them mushy.
– Coating the beans with sugar separately helps them absorb the sweetness without turning mushy when stirring the dessert.
With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll be able to prepare a delicious black bean dessert with soft, intact beans, clear liquid, and a subtle aroma. Impress your family and friends with this visually appealing and tasty treat!
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