Sakuramochi
 Kansai-style sakura mochi | |
| Course | confectionery |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Region or state | Japanese-speaking areas |
| Main ingredients | sweet pink mochi (rice cake), red bean paste, sakura leaf |
| Other information | Traditionally consumed on Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day) |
Sakuramochi (桜餅) is a variety of wagashi, or Japanese confectionery consisting of a sweet pink mochi (rice cake) and red bean paste, covered with a leaf of sakura (cherry blossom).
The style of sakuramochi differs from the regions in Japan. Basically, the east of Japan such as Tokyo uses shiratama-ko (白玉粉, rice flour) and the west side such as Kansai uses dōmyōji-ko (道明寺粉, glutinous rice flour) for batter.
Recipe
This recipe is for making Western-style sakuramochi. Serves 8.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup glutinous rice flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup red bean paste
- red food coloring (optional)
- 8 sakura leaves pickled in salted water
Preparation
Wash pickled sakura leaves and dry. Boil water in a pan. Mix glutinous flour in the water. Cover the pan with a lid and leave it for 5 minutes. Place a wet cloth in a steamer and put the dough on the cloth. Steam the dough for about 20 minutes over medium heat. Remove the steamed dough and place into a bowl. Mash the dough slightly with a wooden pestle, mixing sugar into the dough. Dissolve a little bit of red food color in some water. Add some of the red water in the dough and mix well. Divide the pink mochi into 8 balls. Flatten each mochi ball by hand and place red bean paste filling on the dough. Wrap the filling with mochi and round by hand. Wrap each mochi with a sakura leaf.
Usage
Girl's Day
Sakuramochi is traditionally eaten on Girl's Day (also known as Hinamatsuri) in Japan, on March 3.
See also
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