Kong Jaban Korean Sweet Black Beans Recipes

KONG JABAN (KOREAN SWEET BLACK BEANS)

Steps:

• Soak the beans in enough water to cover them by 3 inches in a covered container in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours.
• Drain the beans, put them in a pot, and add the dashi or water and soy sauce. Set over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a simmer. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 1 hour, stirring the beans on a regular basis. The level of liquid will reduce as the beans cook; once it gets to the point where it does not completely cover the beans, you will need to stir more often to ensure that the beans cook evenly. After an hour, the beans should be tender but still retain a little bite. If they are still hard, add more dashi or water and cook for 15 to 20 minutes longer, until the beans are tender with a little bite.
• Add the sugar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds to the pot and mix well. (It's important to wait to add the sugar until the beans are tender, as adding it in the beginning will cause the beans to harden when refrigerated.) Let the beans cool slightly, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until chilled. (The beans will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.)
• Serve the beans cold with hot rice.

KOREAN KONGJABAN (KOREAN SWEET BLACK BEANS)

Steps:

• Wash and soak black beans in water for a minimum of 3 hours to overnight in the refrigerator. In a pot add the black beans and 5 cups of water. Boil on high for about 15~20 minutes or until water is reduced by half. Add ½ cup of soy sauce, 5 tbsp of corn syrup, and 2 tbsp of brown sugar. Substituting the corn syrup in place of sugar or honey is acceptable. Reduce to medium and cook for another 20 minutes or until the liquid is almost gone. When cooled, refrigerate in a glass or plastic tupperware. Serve cold or semi-chilled as a banchan side dish. *To save cooking time and make for easier digestion, the beans should be pre-soaked a minimum of 3 hours to overnight in the refrigerator. When ready for use, rinse clean under cold water several times. **This healthy side dish can be stored for up to a month in the refrigerator, so it is wise to make enough that will last at least several weeks.