Aperetif on a Sunday night

On the roofs of Tokyo at dusk. Sweet Spring.

Royal Shopping: Kinokuniya

Last Sunday night we quickly drove to the nearest grocery shop to buy a few things for dinner. At least that was the intention. We drove to the Kinokuniya International Supermarket that recently opened in the basement of the new AO building in Aoyama, one of Tokyo coolest. Generally one of us waits in the car while the other goes in (to avoid parking or fines) but we saw the underground parking on the side of the building and drove in. As only in Japan happens, a high tech automatic elevator took the car away and we walked inside the little Italian cafe part of the supermarket, just in case one needs an aperetif before or after the shopping...
Kinokuniya was founded in 1953 as a grocery store and developed into one of the classiest and priecest international supermarket in Japan. Japanese selected food as well as ingredients to cook Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Mexican and French food abound on the shelves. The vegatables and the fruit look so perfect you would think they were picked up in the garden of Eden. Belgian chocolate, Norwegian brown waffles, shortbread as well as delicate Japanese mochi are among the varieties of superior quality goodies one can find just next to the Boulangerie-Patisserie area where all sorts of bread, scones and croissant are baked daily. Next to a very well stocked wine cellar you could stop and indulge in good cheeses from France and Italy, cured meat from Denmark, Germany and Italy, foie gras and other similar delicatessen. For coffee lovers, fresh beans from all over the world just next to the sushi stand.
We strolled around as if we were in Alice's Wonderland, buying premium Sukiyaki beef and broth, tofu, leeks and mushroom for dinner, Thai noodles, curries and Tapioca pudding for another soon-to-be dinner, pate de campagne and baguette as appetizers and Blue Mountain coffee beans from Jamaica.
A Japanese man in uniform took our bags, provided us with a paid ticket for the parking and asked us to follow him. Two minutes later the car was magically lifted by the elevator from the underground parking and we were on our way, almost feeling pampered. Royal shopping in Tokyo!

Amanatto - Candied beans

Today one of my colleagues asked me if I am interested in Japanese traditional candies. I thought to myself that I was not interested in traditional candies rather peckish enough to try one of them. Of course I said I was very interested indeed and I got a few candies to taste.

Now, the main ingredient is a simple, not pretentious little bean. And yet the final result turns out to be the best candy one could ever taste, delicious and so delicately made! How the Japanese can elevate simplicity to its highest...

AMANATTO RECIPE:
Best if started from dried beans that you cook yourself to control the consistency of the beans. You want them cooked but not mushy, picking out any floaty skins, beans without skins and cracked beans. Canned beans are usually too mushy and have all sorts of preservatives in them. Frozen edamame works really well - just make sure you get shelled ones!
Special Equipment: heavy, baking sheet(s) lined with parchment/Silpat
4 c cooked beans (edamame, black bean, azuki, lima, etc.)
3 c water
4 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 c sugar (preferably superfine)

1. Dissolve water, sugar & salt in heavy pot over medium heat. Bring to simmer.
2. Add cooked beans to pot. Simmer for 1.5 hours.
3. Drain beans.
4. Toss drained beans in superfine sugar. Coat very well.
5. Spread sugared beans on prepared baking pan(s).
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, stirring beans halfway through.
7. Turn off oven, crack door open & keep beans in oven until completely cool. If you live in a dry area, you can skip this step and just remove the pans from oven and cool completely on the pans. 8. Store in airtight container.

Amanatto were developed by Hosoda Yasubei during the Bunkyu years (1861–1863) in the Edo period. He opened a wagashi store in Tokyo: Eitaro. This store continues to operate and I've got to find it!