Step 1

Place Azuki beans in a strainer and rinse. Pick any debris out of the beans.

Step 2

Put Azuki beans with water in the Instant Pot. Place lid on top of the pot and lock it into place.

Step 3

Make sure the vent is closed and sealed.

Step 4

Turn the Instant Pot on and press the Bean/Chilli button.

Step 5

The default setting is 35 minutes, so decrease the cooking time to 25 minutes.

Step 6

Once it is done cooking the panel will say, Keep Warm. BUT, it isn't ready to open at this point.

Step 7

Let it release the pressure naturally, which may take about 15 minutes.

Step 8

The venting floating valve button will drop, which indicates the pressure is released.

Step 9

Before opening just double check that the valve has dropped.

Step 10

Drain the beans in a strainer.

Step 11

Place the pot back into the Instant Pot and press the saute button.

Step 12

Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Turn off Instant Pot.

Step 13

Let beans cool for a couple of hours. If you want to speed up the cooling process, place it in the refrigerator.

Step 14

Once the beans have thickened, roll into small balls about the size of ½ inch in diameter.

Step 15

Place balls on parchment paper.

Step 16

In a medium-size bowl, mix with a whisk, the mochiko flour, and sugar. I use a glass bowl that I can place in the microwave.

Step 17

In another bowl, add water and the two drops of vinegar, and mix.

Step 18

Now, add the water to the flour and sugar, until well blend. I use a whisk and sometimes use my hands to get rid of the clumps.

Step 19

Add food coloring once the mixture is smooth.

Step 20

Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a microwaveable plate.

Step 21

Place mochi mixture in the microwave and cook on a high setting for a minute. Not all microwaves have the same strength, so your cook time might be less or more. Please adjust accordingly. I have a powerful microwave.

Step 22

Take out of the oven and stir. Cover again with plastic and cook another minute.

Step 23

Repeat this until you cooked it for about 4 minutes.

Step 24

You'll notice that the mochi will start to bake on the sides of the bowl. As you continue, the whole mixture will bake. If after 4 minutes everything is cooked except the middle, that's ok, it's done.

Step 25

Take the plastic out of the bowl and now thoroughly mix the mochi with a big spoon. The sweet rice dough is now ready to add the azuki beans.

Step 26

Clean your counter and sprinkle it with Mochiko flour or cornstarch. I placed parchment paper down and then covered it with cornstarch.

Step 27

Also, sprinkle a container or plate with Mochiko flour or cornstarch.

Step 28

Scoop out your hot mochi onto your prepared surface. Cover the top of the dough with cornstarch or Mochiko flour.

Step 29

Pat the mochi into a flat surface, adding cornstarch, so it doesn't stick. I usually flattened the dough to about a ¼ inch thickness. The mochi might be a bit hot, so you can let it cool a tiny bit before flattening.

Step 30

Form dough into a small pancake about 3 ½ - 4 inches wide in diameter.

Step 31

Place one azuki bean ball in the middle of your round pancake and bring up sides of mochi and pinch in the middle. Make sure that all edges get pinched together so there are no holes.

Step 32

Roll mochi in a ball in your hand. Place seams side down on a plate that is sprinkled with Mochiko flour or cornstarch.

Step 33

Repeat this process until all ingredients are gone.

Step 34

If the mochi dough gets dry and won't come together, add a tiny bit of powdered sugar or water, and it will revive the dough, and it becomes sticky and pliable again.

Step 35

To store, place plastic wrap around mochi and put in an airtight container.