Soy-glazed black beans are a common panchan—little side dish—in Korea, but they’re also served in Japan; in both countries they’re usually served at room temperature. They are about as far from the cumin- and garlic-laced black beans of Mexico (see page 438) as they could be. In Asia, they’re made with black soybeans, which are larger and rounder than the more common black (“turtle”) beans you see everywhere. But you can use either. Serve this as if it were a little salad, with any Korean or Japanese cooked dish.

　　

Ingredients

4 or more servings

　　1/2 pound dried black beans, rinsed and picked over

　　1/4 cup sugar, or more to taste

　　2 tablespoons mirin or a little more sugar

　　1/4 cup soy sauce

　　2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

　　1 tablespoon sesame seeds

　　

Step 1

If time allows, soak the beans for several hours or overnight, then drain. (If not, proceed, but expect cooking time to be somewhat longer.) Place in a pot, add water to cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Partially cover, adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are nearly tender and most of the water has evaporated, at least an hour and probably more. (Add water as necessary to keep the beans covered, but bear in mind that eventually you will want no water at all, so don’t drown them.)

　　

Step 2

Add the sugar, mirin, and soy sauce and raise the heat a bit. Continue to cook, stirring frequently now, until the beans are glazed and still firm, not quite as tender as you’re used to; leave them quite moist (the soy sauce will burn if the mixture dries out). Stir in the sesame oil.

　　

Step 3

You can serve the beans immediately, at room temperature, or chilled. Just before serving, toast the sesame seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently until the seeds color slightly. Sprinkle the beans with the seeds and serve.

　　The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman. © 2005 by Mark Bittman. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved.MARK BITTMAN is the author of the blockbuster The Best Recipes in the World (Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestseller How to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Simple to Spectacular and Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef. Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.