Can I use sweet bean paste in place of chili-bean paste?!
Answers:
Hmm. Chili bean paste is made with pinto
Chili bean paste is made from fermented soybeans and hot chilies.
Red bean paste is made from azuki beans
Sweet bean paste is made from sweetened fermented soybeans. "Don't confuse red bean past with sweet bean paste." (http://www.foodsubs.com/CondimntAsia.htm…
If you have sweet bean paste and not red bean paste, then it sounds like a decent substitute as long as you add hot peppers. If what you have is actually red bean paste then it sounds like a "no go" for making Tian Mian Jiange Sauce, but I'd still give it a try and call it Rachel Bz Sauce. Since it isn't fermented, sweetened, or hot, then be sure to give it a taste so you can doctor up the flavor as desired.
No, you most definitely can not use sweet red bean paste as a substitute for "chili-bean paste".
Judging from the ingredients you listed, I guess you're probably trying to make "twice cooked pork". If I am correct, that "chili-bean paste" is Chinese "doubanjiang" aka fermented broad bean paste. http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/e…
There are spicy and non-spicy fermented broad bean paste available. Personally, I prefer the non-spicy version because you'll have more control over the taste. Non-spicy version: http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/l…
Spicy version: http://www.philamfood.com/wei-chuan-chil…
Suitable chili paste to spice up fermented broad bean paste: http://store.indianfoodsco.com/grocery/P… I like this version a lot better than that Sambal Oelek version.
As for substitutes, Korean doenjang will work much better than miso. The fermented bean taste won't be as potent though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doenjang
As for that red miso mixed with sugar idea, I'd try to stay as far away from that as possible.
PS: If tian mian jiang isn't available, you could use hoisin sauce instead. Difference between hoisin sauce and tian mian jiang - Hoisin sauce is thinner and sweeter.
red bean paste is mild and usually used for ice cream recipes. it wouldn't have the spicy flavor that the chili-bean paste would give the recipe. i don't see how the recipe would come out tasting right, maybe you could add some plain chili paste along with the red bean paste and it would taste more like a chili-bean paste. good luck and hope it turns out tasty.
