RITZ Red Bean Bite Delights

Name: RITZ Red Bean Bite Delights
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 630 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 6 oz. dried adzuki beans; 1 qt. water, plus more for soaking; 3 Tbsp. dark brown sugar; 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar; 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided; 8 RITZ Crackers; 2 tsp. golden raisins; 2 tsp. dried goji berries; 2 tsp. pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Adzuki beans are a staple in Asian countries, used in snacks and desserts. These bean and fruit bites are a great appetizer idea for celebrating the Asian New Year!

Well-being ChoiceLow Sodium

Nutrition Bonus

These Asian-inspired sweet treats top RITZ Crackers with creamy red bean paste, dried fruit and seeds for a low-sodium way to eat right.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 h 0 min

Servings:

Makes 4 servings, 2 topped crackers each.

Ingredient list

6 oz. dried adzuki beans
1 qt. (4 cups) water, plus more for soaking
3 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
8 RITZ Crackers
2 tsp. golden raisins
2 tsp. dried goji berries
2 tsp. pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Directions

Rinse beans, then pick through them to remove and discard any small stones. Place beans in medium bowl. Add enough water to cover beans by 2 inches. Let stand at least 8 hours or overnight.

Drain beans; rinse well. Place beans in 2-qt. saucepan. Add 1 qt. water; bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours or until beans are very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary to ensure water always covers beans by about 1/4 inch. (Be sure to check water occasionally to prevent beans from boiling dry.)

Place beans and their liquid in food processor; process until smooth.

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in saucepan on medium-low heat. Add beans and sugars; mix well. Cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until bean mixture thickens and begins to hold its shape. Add remaining oil; cook and stir 1 min. (Do not overcook.) Remove from heat.

Spoon 1/3 cup bean mixture into small bowl; cool 15 min. (Note: Bean paste will firm up as it cools.)

Cool remaining bean paste completely. Refrigerate up to 3 days (or freeze up to 2 weeks) before using as desired.

Spoon 1/3 cup bean paste into pastry bag fitted with desired tip; pipe onto crackers. Top with remaining ingredients.

Recipe Tips

How to Use the Remaining Bean Paste
Use the remaining bean paste as a filling for sticky rice cakes or steamed buns. Or, use to prepare the traditional Eight Treasure Rice dessert. If paste is too thick after refrigerating, warm it slightly, adding additional oil 1 tsp. at a time, until desired consistency.
Shortcut
To save time, substitute 2 cups well-drained canned adzuki beans for the soaked beans. If the canned beans are already sweetened, omit the sugar needed to make the bean paste. Process the beans in the food processor, then cook to make the paste as directed. Or, substitute 1/3 cup purchased red bean paste for the homemade bean paste. Look for it at your local Asian market.
Variation
Instead of buying all the fruits and seeds needed to prepare this tasty recipe, you can instead purchase a snack mix that contains some of the dried fruits and pumpkin seeds listed in this ingredient list. Or, prepare this recipe using your favorite dried fruits, seeds and/or nuts.