Zundamochi Edamame Paste with Rice Cakes

Desserts do not come much easier, or much more unique, than this edamame recipe. Edamame are immature soy beans that are generally sprinkled with salt and eaten as an appetiser, or combined with rice or pasta. In this recipe, however, the edamame are combined with soy milk, sugar, and a little soy sauce (if you so wish) to make a sweet bean paste which is then spooned over boiled or baked mochi rice cakes. This dish, known as 'Zundamochi' in Japanese, is a specialty dish from Sendai, in Japan's Tohoku (North-East) region.