Vegan Red Bean (Adzuki Bean) Dorayaki (Japanese Pancake Sandwich)

I came across something amazing today by accident. I was searching for a recipe for red bean ice cream which then lead me to something called red bean dorayaki

Dorayaki is a traditional Japanese sweet dish which consists of a sweet filling (usually red bean paste) sandwiched between two pancakes. Why have I never heard of this before? And if I've only just discovered this, what other amazing things am I missing out on?

I could not find any vegan friendly versions of red bean dorayaki, so I made up my own based on this recipe I found from GinsKitchen. 

Vegan Red Bean (Adzuki Bean) Dorayaki

Serves 2

Ingredients

Bean paste:

• 1 cup uncooked red bean
• 3 cups water
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar (if you don't want it too sweet, you can omit the sugar or add in less)

Pancakes:

• 120g (1 cup) all purpose flour (i.e. plain flour)
• 95g granulated sugar (I used Low GI cane sugar. These pancakes were very sweet. Next time I'll only add about half the sugar)
• 1  tablespoon agave nectar or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese seasoning)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• Egg replacer for 2 eggs
• ½ cup water

Directions

Bean paste:

1. Soak beans for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
2. Heat adzuki beans in a pot with 3 cups of water. When they come to a boil, turn the heat down to low and simmer until the beans are soft.  If necessary, add water so that the beans are always covered.  Skim off any foam that appears on the surface
3. When the beans are soft enough to break between your fingers, drain them in a colander.
4. Return the beans to the pot again and mix in the sugar.
5. Process beans in a food processor until you get the consistency of paste

Pancakes:

1. Whisk egg replacer with sugar and agave in a mixing bowl.
2. Combine flour and baking powder and add sifted flour in the wet ingredients gradually.
   Slowly add water while whisking until smooth (add water a little by little until the mixture is slightly runny).
3. Drop small ladles full on a lightly oiled fry pan to make pancakes that are about 3 inches in diameter. When bubbles start to appear, turn over the pancakes and cook briefly on the other side until brown.
4. Spread about two tablespoons of adzuki bean paste on one pancake, then cover it with another to make a sandwich.  Slightly press the edges.

Note: In order to get that lovely even brown colour on the pancakes, I recommend not putting oil in the pan. Instead, use a good non-stick pan if you have one.