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May 3, 2006
kinako
Kinako is toasted soybean flour or, as I thought of it for the first few months in Japan, that weird powder they always put on mochi. It has a nutty flavor that reminds me a bit of peanut butter, especially when I sprinkle it on buttered toast, which is a favorite way to eat it here. Mixing it with some brown sugar and cinnamon before putting it on the toast makes a more substantial version of plain cinnamon-and-sugar-topped toast, but, since my prime kinako-toast-eating time is right after work, I am usually too lazy to do more than just dole it straight out of the bag. Kinako is also good as a yogurt or ice cream topping, especially when that ice cream is additionally topped with an (sweet bean jam). According to the back of my kinako package, it also makes a nutritious drink when mixed with milk, but I'll have to take their word for it since the thought of drinking a tall glass of milk always makes me want to gag. Unless there are brownies involved. I'm willing to make a lot of exceptions for brownies.
Kinako on toasted azuki-bean bread.
Since it is made of ground and toasted soybeans, kinako is full of protein, B vitamins and other soy-licious things, so in addition to finding it at Japanese or Asian grocery stores, you can also find it at natural foods stores.
Pocky has a kinako flavor, but unfortunately it was only in stores during the That Weird Powder phase, so I haven't tried it.
Some kinako recipes:
Kinako pancakes
Kinako ice cream
Kinako frosting
Posted on May 3, 2006 4:24 PM | Categories: Ingredients | Soy | Sweets
Comments
A few spoons of kinako mixed into soymilk as a drink each morning helped my relative reduce bad cholesterol.
Posted by: Hana on July 18, 2006 8:40 AM
That's amazing. I'm going to tell my mom about that -- she just found out she has high cholesterol AND recently fell in love with kinako.
Posted by: Anjali on July 18, 2006 10:50 PM
i love kinako too. i'm looking forward to try out the kinako pancake and toast. please, show us more recipes that involve kinako on this blog :]
my personal tip: melt white chocolate and mix it with kinako powder, then let it cool. you can also do the same with green tea powder. makes a nice japanese dessert.
Posted by: pumpkin on December 11, 2006 7:14 AM
You can soak frozen plain mochi in water for 4 hours. Pan fry at med. heat in a little oil until gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. Mix kinako with sugar to taste and dip the pan fried mochi in it... so ono!
Posted by: kiki bartolotta on June 20, 2007 11:38 AM
:Second Thoughts: Kinako ice cream would be soooooooo amazing... guarantee. Or jus sprinkle on vanilla or chocolate ice cream... I just ate but i'm hungry again!
Posted by: kiki bartolotta on June 20, 2007 11:44 AM