Yokan

Yokan is a tradional Japanese sweet, which is made of azuki beans, agar agar, and sugar. This is a type of yokan called mizu-yokan. Mizu means water in Japanese. Mizu-yokan includes more water than other kinds of yokan. This yokan makes a cool summertime dessert.

Ingredients:
* 1 stick kanten (agar agar), or 1/6 oz. kanten powder
* 1 1/4 cup water
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 3/4 lb. anko (1 1/2 cup)

Preparation:
Soak kanten in lots of water for about one hour. Squeeze the kanten and tear it into small pieces. Put the kanten in 1 and 1/4 cup of water in a deep pot. Heat it on low heat until the kanten dissolves. Add sugar and stir well. Next, add anko. Stir constantly and simmer until thickened. Stop the heat. Pour the mixture in a flat container. Cool it until harden. Cut the yokan into small blocks to serve.