Introduction: What Is Mochi and What You Will Need #HMS2018

Mochi is a common dessert that you can find almost anywhere, with it dating back to all the way to the Heian Period of Japan. It's made of glutinous rice on the outside and your choice of dessert on the inside. This is a fairly easy recipe that serves about 8-10 pieces (depending on how you cut it) and takes approximately no less than 20 minutes. The ingredients for this delicious ball is the following:

  • 1 cup of Mochiko (found at most supermarkets)
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1/4 cup of sugar
  • Cornstarch to prevent it from sticking to your work place

The following are the tools you will need:

  • Stirring Spatula
  • Rolling Pin
  • Measuring cups
  • Bowl that can fit in a microwave
  • Wide working space

Step 1: Gather and Mix Your Ingredients

Grab your 1 cup of Mochiko and 1/4 cup of sugar and add it to your bowl. Once you've done that grab the 1 cup of water and add it to the Mochiko and sugar. Once you add the water stir for a good 30-45 seconds or until it has a smooth and semi-pale texture. Put 1/4-1/2 more of the ingredients shown in this recipe if want a larger quantity of mochi.

Step 2: Heat Up the Mochi

Once you've stirred long enough and feel like your pre-mochi is ready, put some saran wrap on it and put it in your microwave for 4 minutes. Be wary when taking your bowl out of the microwave as it will be very hot, but when you do make sure to let it cool off for a good 5 minutes.

Step 3: Lay Your Work Out

While the mochi's cooling off you can start rubbing corn starch on the area that you'll be rolling the mochi in and on your stirring tool. Although optional, it helps if you rub cornstarch on your fingers as it softens the stickiness of the pre-mochi and makes it much easier to handle. After you're done applying cornstarch to everything, transfer the pre-mochi to the area that you will be working in.

Step 4: Roll Out the Pre-Mochi

Once you have your blob of mochi on your work area, start rolling it out. Be sure to separate the mochi from the rolling pin when they stick together. Put medium size pinches of corn starch around the rolling pin occasionally to make it easier to roll. Once you have flattened it out you can move onto the next step.

Step 5: Cutting the Mochi and Shaping It

You can cut the mochi into whatever size you please, just make sure it's big enough to make into the shape you want it to be. After you cut it into the size you want it to be, place them on a serving plate. On the serving plate start clumping them up to make them into the traditional sphere or any shape you would like. Congratulations, you've finished your mochi and you can now eat it or save it for later.