Naomi Duguid

Fermented Soybean Paste

Preparation info
  • Makes About

    3 Cups

    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
top 1000Burma: Rivers of flavor
Burma

By Naomi Duguid

Published 2012

  • About

The tua nao makers I know all let their cooked beans ferment in a rice sack, woven bamboo, or straw basket, so I use a basket. I assume it helps with fermentation. I have also left them in a little of their cooking water in a pot, and they fermented just fine.

Ingredients

  • ½ pound (scant 1½ cups) organic soybeans, well washed
  • Spring water
  • About 2

Method

Place the beans in a large pot, add water to cover by about 3 inches, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook, half-covered, until the beans are completely softened, about 3 hours. Remove from the heat, drain, and using a slotted spoon, transfer to a basket. Let stand, lo