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Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕)



Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕)

As you can tell, I’ve been making ice cream left and right this summer!  Actually, I’ve been making ice cream all year round since I’ve got this baby!  It’s probably the most utilized kitchen tool right after my stand mixer.  Not sure if you’ve tried my Azuki Paste recipe just yet.  I’ve been making one batch right after another to keep the red bean paste inventory in-check so that I can prepare the Red Bean Ice Desserts and this Azuki Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕) anytime I want.

Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕)

Besides the Matcha Ice Cream, Azuki Ice Cream was another must-get item when I visited the Asian supermarkets.  Noticed the past tense from the previous sentence?  Yes, that’s a thing in the past.  Now, I can make my own at home any time I crave for it.  Besides, I can control the quality of ingredients I use in the recipe and adjust the sweetness in it to suit my preference.  That’s the art and benefits of home cooking/churning.  Plus, my favorite Asian supermarket isn’t that close to where I live now.  So, making a batch of ice cream at home is way more fun than driving in L.A. traffic.  See, I think making homemade ice cream should be considered a “green act” because I can skip that trip to the grocery store, which translates to less driving.  Does it make sense?  No? Never minded, at least I've tried.

Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕)


In this Azuki Ice Cream, I used my favorite vanilla ice cream as the base.   Then I simply stir in the cooked and cooled red bean paste right before churning.  It’s amazing how the red bean paste can transform the plain old vanilla ice cream into this rich, creamy, flavorful, and delectable concoction.  When the Azuki ice cream just finish churning, it has the soft serve texture.  If you want a firmer ice cream, simply transfer the ice cream into a freezer safe container and keep it in the freezer until it firms up.  Just keep in mind, the red bean will also firmed up a little after freezing.  I totally enjoy biting into the beans because the firmer texture contrasted well with the soft and creamy ice cream.  And the frozen red beans are slightly more starchy and icy than the creamy base.  That totally reminds me of the red bean Popsicle that I enjoyed so much as a kid. 

Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕)

I hope you’re inspired to make some homemade ice cream this summer instead of driving to the store for a tub!  That’s totally good for the environment, and your tummy!  Stay cool and have fun churning.



Azuki Ice Cream: (Printable Recipe)

1 1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
6 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon liquor (I used vodka), optional
1 cup cooked Azuki paste (red bean paste), recipe followed

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, vanilla bean and salt together until simmer.  Cover and remove from heat and let the mixture steep at room temperature for 1 hour.

In a medium bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks. Set aside.  Reheat the vanilla mixture until simmer.  While whisking the egg yolks constantly, slowly pour the warm vanilla mixture into the yolks.  Then, scrap egg yolks mixture back into saucepan.

With a flat bottom wooden spatula, stir the mixture constantly and cook over medium low heat until the custard is thick and coat the spatula.  Set a strainer over a large mixing bowl.  Strain the custard.  Do not discard the vanilla bean, simply wash and pat dry it, then add it to your jar of vanilla sugar.

Stir in the cream and liquor, if using.  Set the mixture over an ice bath and stir until completely cooled.  Cover and refrigerate to chill thoroughly. Preferably overnight.  Right before churning, stir in the cooked and cooled Azuki paste.  Churn the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
 

Red Bean Paste  (自家製紅豆沙餡料):

1 Cup Azuki Bean (dry)
4 ounce cane sugar (片糖)
water for soaking and cooking
a pinch of kosher salt
Place Azuki beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water at least an inch above the top of the beans. Cover with plastic wrap and let them soak overnight.

The next day, transfer the beans to a strainer and rinse under cold tap water. Discard soaking water. Place bean in a large pot and add just enough water to cover the beans. Cook on medium high until water comes up to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Taste a bean and it should be tender. Then, add the cane sugar and salt and turn up the heat to medium high. Cook uncovered and stirs constantly with a wooden spoon until water is almost all absorbed by the beans. Remove from heat, let cool and store in the fridge until ready to use. Or, you can wrap them individually in small portion and store in the freezer for future use.


Azuki (Red Bean) Ice Cream (紅豆雪糕)

114 comments:

  1. How refreshingly different and delightful:) You ahve been making ice cream..and I preserves:) A nice productive summer.
    Have a lovely day!

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    1. Yeah...very productive summer for us. but at least your preserves will last for a while. The ice cream doesn't last long in my house. I gotta start preserving soon. ;)

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  2. What a unique ice cream - great recipe! I love red bean paste and this truly is delightful!
    Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com

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    1. Thank you, Shashi. This is a very popular ice cream in Asia. But not many markets in the States carry them.

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  3. Hi Amy, I love your red bean ice cream. So refreshing and inviting. Wish I can have 2 BIG scoops now. :)) I like your teapot, very unique.

    Have a nice day.

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    1. Thank you, Amelia. Glad you love red bean ice cream too. It's one of my all time favorites.

      I got the teapot long long time ago in a Japanese teapot shop. I love it too. It's cast iron so it's really heavy too.

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  4. I can't stand the driving around too. Traffic is crazy over here. Driving to work and back home already gives me major headache. Definitely the time is best spend on preparing home made food for the family.

    I too make red bean ice-cream but it was the typical Asian way. Yours is another interesting and inviting type. I shall try out one of these days with lesser portion of the ingredients. It does look so splendid.

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    1. Thank you, Navaneetham. I know...the traffic jam is definitely more stressing than the work itself. Hope it doesn't take you too long to commute.

      :) Glad you love red bean ice cream too. It's so good. I love this version because the base is really creamy.

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  5. I love red bean and green tea ice cream. Now that I have an ice cream maker I'm going to have to try both of your recipes ;)

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    1. Thank you, Amy. Glad you love these ice creams. Give them a try soon, I'm sure you'll love them both.

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  6. I believe you really love ice-cream!

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    1. LOL...yes I do. :) And I just have another new ice cream recipe just published on the blog too. They are way better than store bought ice cream.

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  7. Yummy! Yummy! As much as I like to eat ice cream, as I grow older, I have to cut down on my intake of ice cream but your Azuki red bean ice cream looks so tempting that I wouldn't be able to resist it if you offer it to me. :)

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    1. Hehe....I know, I tried really hard to cut down on ice cream. but it's just so hard when I have the ice cream maker right there in the kitchen for me to whip up some new flavors any time. :P So, I try to have just a small scope each time.

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you.....and it is quite irresistible! :P

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    1. Thank you, Joceline. It is really yummy. Hope you'll give it a try too. ;)

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  10. I do believe that YOU can even make red beans in ice-cream delectable! X

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    1. Thank you Dear! It's a pretty popular flavor in Asia. :) I definitely love the homemade version better though.

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  11. Beautiful ice-cream! And so unique by using red beans! And YEAH for adding alcohol to the ingredient list - it would DEFINITELY not be an optional ingredient for me. :)

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    1. Thank you, Julia. The red bean ice cream is a lot more popular in Asia compared to the States. :) Amen to the alcohol! Glad you like it. It really keeps the ice cream creamy and soft.

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  12. you are simply using the summer...love the icecreams you have been posting..have bookmarked got to try sometime for sure

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    1. Thank you, Divya. Glad you like the ice cream recipes. Hope you'll give them a try...they are simply divine. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  13. I used to eat the Red Bean Past in baked good in S. Korea when i lived there, they were so good. This ice cream version sounds fabulous. Going to have to try it out.

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    1. Hope you'll give this a try soon. It's wonderful. :) Have a great weekend.

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  14. This is definitely the most unique ice cream flavor I've seen so far! Love it!

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    1. Thank you, Ruby. hehe...yes, you don't see it often in the States. But a very popular flavor in Asia countries. :P Hope you're having a great weekend so far. take care.

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  15. Se ve irresistible y original su helado ahora que tengo mi máquina probaré su receta,saludos hugs,hugs.

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    1. Muchas gracias. Me alegro de que tiene un fabricante de helados. Dales una oportunidad. Estoy seguro de que te encantará. Que tengan un buen fin de semana.

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  16. ice cream with beans is new to me...but it looks terrific...love your tea pot..so good

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    1. Thank you. Red bean ice cream is quite popular in Hong Kong and Japan. :) I grew up eating this quite often. And the tea pot is one of my favorite things in the kitchen too.

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  17. I completely understand doing what you can to avoid L.A. traffic, especially if it's to stay home and make ice cream:! :)

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    1. Thank you, Sue. Yes, making ice cream is definitely way better than stuck in traffic. ;) Hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far.

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  18. Hi Amy , love ice cream and this is a must try . Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thank you, Nee. Yes, ice creams are the best treats in the summer. ;)

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  19. Hi Amy
    This just great for us here; it been hot here recently and wouldnt mind to have this everyday!!

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    1. I agree. I can probably eat this everyday too. :P Hope you're having a great weekend so far. Take care.

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  20. You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! I love red bean icecream and homemade is even better. Have you ever had the green bean icecream like we have here in HK? I am certain you have! I think some of these flavors are mild and beautiful and not too sweet. That is why I like them the best.

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    1. Oh...Haven't had green bean ice cream for years! Now you mentioned, I started craving for some. :P I love desserts that are not overly sweet too. So they are perfect for me.

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  21. Hey Amy! Now I seriously want an ice cream maker too! :D

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    1. Hehe....consider getting one soon! I've been having lots of fun creating different ice creams at home. :) And I make ice cream all year round ever since I got the ice cream maker.

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  22. Homemade ice cream sounds so good! I wish I had a ice cream maker.

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    1. Oh..yes they are. Consider getting one. It took me years before I got mine. But so glad that I did. I've been using it all year round. :)

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  23. My husband used to eat this in China. He says it is very good. Should I surprise him?

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    1. Oh....please, You've got to surprise him. The homemade version is even better than the store bought ones. I'm sure he'll love this.

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  24. Homemade matcha ice cream is the best! I just made some today...and hope I remember to take photos before I gobble it up...I've got a feeling your azuki ice cream might present the same situation =)

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    1. Great you love the matcha ice cream! :) I can never get enough. I'm sure you're going to adore this azuki ice cream too. Hope you'll give it a try soon. Take care.

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  25. I made some red bean popsicles last week...your ice cream looks so much more delicious, Amy.

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    1. Oh....red bean pops sounds just as wonderful. They are my childhood favorites. :)

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  26. I would love to try this! Great photos + presentation, Amy! xo T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Tina. Glad you like this. Let me know if you try. This ice cream is simply wonderful.

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  27. I love making ice cream. I haven't tried a red bean ice cream yet, it sounds delicious!

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    1. Thank you. Oh...it's wonderful. Hope you'll give this red bean flavor a try. It's one of my childhood favorites.

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  28. Pinned it!
    I recently hacked green tea ice cream and was saying to myself that red bean is NEXT! I will for sure be making this!!

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    1. Thank you so much for pinning, Alla. Oh yeah, Green Tea and Red Bean ice creams are two of my favorites. :) Hope you'll give this a try soon.

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  29. I'd really love to try this ice cream. Looks scrummy! Bravo in trying to be "greener";-)

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    1. hehe....thank you, Jacqueline Roll. Glad you love my idea of "being green" and this red bean ice cream. It sure was delicious.

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  30. This looks amazing!! I could eat ice cream every day!

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    1. Thank you, Ashley. Hehe....good to hear I'm not the one who could eat ice cream every day, and I had been doing so too. :P

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  31. I love red bean paste, so I bet this would be amazing :)

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    1. Oh...if you love red bean paste, gotta give this ice cream a try. I'm sure you'll love it.

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  32. We make loads of ice cream in the summer, but never thought to make red bean ice cream. Wonderful idea! I love the flavor of red bean paste, so I'm sure I'd swoon over the ice cream!

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    1. Oh...you've gotta give this a try if you love red bean paste. This is so yummy that I can probably eat it every day! ;)

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  33. I love that you made the paste, it truly elevates this ice cream experience!!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. :) Glad you like this homemade version. :)

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  34. Amy, what an amazing recipe and absolutely fantastic pictures - I have never tasted red bean ice cream in my life but I am certainly curious now, I would love to be able to taste this, it looks delicious and elegant and different - just wonderful!

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    1. Thank you, Andrea. This is one of my favorite ice cream from the childhood. :) Hope you'll give it a try some day. :)

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  35. I've never tasted red bean ice cream either, but I'm certain yours is heads and tails better than what your could ever buy in the market. So beautiful, too!

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    1. Thank you, Liz. Oh yeah...this homemade version is really lovely. The ice cream base is way better than the store bought version. :)

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  37. Hi Amy! OH boy, I love anything involving azuki. bread, shaved ice, mochi, and of course ice cream! I've experienced the horrendous LA traffic last time I visited my friend...never again. Ugh. I'd rather stay home and make this... and save the planet ;).

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    1. Thank you, Min. Glad you like my "green" idea to stay home and make ice cream! :) I know, the LA traffic is only getting worse.

      Oh well, at least we have ice cream at home. ;) You really are a azuki fan. Hope you'll give this ice cream recipe a try. I'm sure you'll love it. Happy Friday and have a great weekend ahead.

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  38. I am always very intrigued seeing azuki desserts. This ice cream looks so tempting... maybe also thanks to your beautiful photographs... I don't think I will find it at our local Italian ice-cream shop, so thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.

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    1. Thank you, Sissi. The red bean ice cream is quite popular in Asia. And only some Asian markets carry it here in the States. But good news is that this homemade version is even better than the packaged ones. :) Hope you'll give this a try some day. Happy Friday and have a beautiful weekend ahead.

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  39. I LOVE adzuki ice cream but have somehow never thought to make it myself! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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    1. Thank you, Joanne. Glad you love adzuki ice cream too. You've gotta give this a try. I'm sure you'll love it and never go back to the store bought version. ;) Have a happy Friday and a great weekend ahead.

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  40. Been hearing so much of Azuki lately bit never tried it.. Looks wonderful!

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    1. Thank you. Hope you'll give it a try some day. This is one of my childhood favorite ice cream. :) Have a happy Friday and great weekend ahead.

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  41. I love azuki beans! I made them all last winter with kale. People kept telling me the paste is used for ice cream but I hadn't seen a recipe. I'm soooo glad I found your blog! I can't wait to try this!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Susan. If you love azuki beans, I'm sure you'll love this ice cream recipe. :) Hope you'll give it a try soon. Take care.

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  42. What a fantastic combination for an icecream. I've only used that paste to make moon cakes a while ago, I am sure this tastes really good. Love the idea.

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    1. Thank you, Asha. Oh yeah, the red bean paste is really nice in moon cakes. I do have a few more recipes using the red bean paste. But I really adore it in the ice cream, especially in the summer. ;)

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  43. i hv been wanting to make some ice cream or maybe popsicles these few weeks but still hvnt got around to do it. I really should..love red bean ice cream too..and corn..and vanilla..so many!!

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    1. Glad you love red bean ice cream too. Hope you'll give this a try soon. It's really amazing. Happy Friday and have a great weekend ahead.

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  44. Hi Amy! Thank you for stopping by my blog earlier ^_^ I used to eat those azuki red bean ice cream and popsicles or over on shaved ice desserts before I became a vegan in my early 20's. I love your photos including the styling (love the traditional teapot!). But now, you've inspired me to do a vegan version! 自家製紅豆沙餡料 seems like an easy recipe to work with, and I don't have to rely on canned red bean paste anymore! Thanks Amy for this and bringing back old memories in my life! I look forward to reading more of your posts later on! x x

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    1. Glad to know you also love red bean. Yes, the red bean paste is quite easy to prepare. :) I can't wait to see your vegan version of this ice cream.

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  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. Sorry this is my comment above here. My ID wouldn't work :(

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  47. I adore all your ice cream recipes and this is no exception. Keep them coming, please! :)

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    1. Thank you, Pamela. Glad you love the ice cream recipes. I think ice cream is the best treat in the summer. :P

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  48. Confession - I have never tried red bean anything. It kinda scares me - but I don't even know what it is! However, this icecream looks like it would be a delightful introduction.

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    1. Oh...red bean paste is a sweet filling for many Asian pastries. :) But I have to say, this ice cream would be the perfect way to start if you haven't tried anything with red bean before. I'm sure you'll fall in love with it. :)

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  49. Replies
    1. Thank you, Kiran. :) glad you live red beans desserts too.

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  50. When I was working in a Japanese co some yrs back, I always received red beans foodstuff as souvenirs. My Japanese colleagues would always order red bean & green tea ice-creams in the restaurants. I've no problem finishing all, so send me some, Amy! Hahaha!

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    1. Thank you, Shirley. I agree, I love green tea and red bean ice cream too. :P Guess I have no problem eating this every day as well!

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  51. Thanks for the recipe. I love desserts with red bean! Is there a good substitute for vanilla ice cream? Thanks.

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like red bean desserts.

      What do you mean by substitute for vanilla ice cream? Do you mean using another flavor of ice cream? Or use the red bean paste in other dessert?

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  52. Red bean ice cream is so good, Amy. Anything red bean works for me, really. Lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Monica. :) Glad you love red bean too. Have a Happy Friday and wonderful weekend ahead.

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  53. I love red bean paste and I think it goes well in ice cream. Yum! When I lived in Singapore I ate an pan, and loved it so much. Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you. Glad to know you're a red bean fan too. :) Yes, it's really nice in the ice cream. This is one of my favorite childhood treats.

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  54. That taste and also texture must be amazing!

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    1. Thank you, Olga. It was wonderful. Hope you'll give it a try soon.

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  55. Replies
    1. Thank you, Belinda. :) It's wonderful, especially for hot summer days. Wish you a Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  56. It looks delicious and I love the bowls it's in. So beautiful!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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    1. Thank you, Kim. Oh...those are my favorite little bowls too. ;) They are perfect for desserts....and portion control. hahaha...

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  57. This is fabulous, I would love to try this. I agree with you driving in traffic is no fun, making icecream wins hands down any day ! Awesome recipe

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    1. Thank you, Simi. Hehe..glad you like my 'green plan' to stay home and make ice cream! ;) Wish you a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  58. This delightful ice cream is really yummy…:-). For refreshing this is one of the best dishes, I love this very much.

    Red Bean Ice Cream Recipe

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