Rice with Azuki Beans

The Japanese usually serve this dish on special occasions, such as birthdays or weddings. They make it from glutinous rice, and their name for it means simply ‘red rice’. For perfect results, glutinous rice must be steamed, not boiled. In Japan, you can buy red rice in the food hall of any big department store; you will see it displayed, still steaming hot, on large trays along with other kinds of cooked rice. The shop assistants will pack it for you in one of the store’s pretty lunch boxes