I made this!

[plonq]

One of the important elements of learning to cook is the lesson in what not to do in the future.  For instance, if one is going to make red-bean filled dumplings, one should buy the canned bean paste and not bother making the paste from scratch.  That is not to say that one cannot make red-bean paste from scratch if one has more time and energy than brains, but one quickly learns that it's probably not something that one wants to do a second time.

Let's just say that it was more work than I had anticipated.

What inspired me to make the bean paste was some steamed rolls that dronon made awhile back for a pot luck supper.  The rolls were very good, and while I was munching on one I kept thinking how they were just about the right consistency to make some steamed, sweet red-bean filled dumplings...


It tastes much better than it looks.



I can't shake the feeling that I've probably perverted a few existing recipes to come up with these (aren't the dumplings usually made from rice flower?) but that's one of the other important lessons in cooking; don't be afraid to experiment.  If we end up entertaining friends again this weekend then I may haul out the steamer and make another batch (I have lots of bean paste left over).

Comments

On reinventing the wheel

[twoolfe.livejournal.com]

"Let's just say that it was more work than I had anticipated."
There'a a nifty old gadget that's intended to do just that,,, seperate pulp fron the *other* stuff. It's called a Foley Foodmill. It looks like a pot with a bottom fulla holes and an auger thing to smoosh the pulp through the holes. There are even little arms to set it on another pot saveing a paw AND a wire thingie under the holes that rotrates with the auger to scrape the pulp off the botton. I have no idea how old the concept is but one of them made the babyfood my brother and I enjoyed. Mine dates to the early 50's and is still smooshing stuff like de-skinning/seeding Tomatoes for a smooth Italian Gravy. As far as I know they're still being made.
Good Hunting.
T.

Re: On reinventing the wheel

[plonq.livejournal.com]

Aw man... Yes, something like that would have saved me a lot of work!

I wonder if a potato ricer would do the trick? I imagine the holes would probably be too big.

Re: On reinventing the wheel

[twoolfe.livejournal.com]

That'd be kinda difficult as the skins would cover the holes soon. The foley you crank backwards every 3 0r 4 cranks.
Just checked on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3275004870&category=11665
T.