These wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) have an elegant sweetness to them. I tried making Shiro-tan the Seal (also known as Sirotan) with konashi shiro-an (sweet white bean paste) batter, which is easy to make ♡
Ingredients(Makes 4-5 Shiro-tans)White sweetened bean paste 100 g
White flour 7 g
Mochi-ko glutinous rice flour 2g
Sugar 5g
Ground black sesame seeds A little
1. Put the shiro-an white bean paste in a bowl, then add sifted flour, mochi-ko, and sugar.
2. Mix it all together until the dough is formed.
3. Break the dough into five portions and steam in a steamer for about 25 minutes. They’ll expand once steamed.
4. Knead the dough all together again in a tightly wrung out wet kitchen towel for about ten minutes. The dough will be hot, so be careful! When it doesn’t feel sticky and has a mochi-like consistency, it’s ready!
5. While they’re still a little warm, mold into Shiro-tan shapes. For the tail, it’ll look best if you press the end down firmly, then cut a slit with kitchen scissors. But he’s still missing his face…
6. Dab a little black sesame paste on a plate, and draw the face with a toothpick. Wow! Doesn’t he look so happy to be held? (´▽｀)
7. They’re so cute ～♡ How am I supposed to eat them… ヽ(´д｀;)ノ
ALL ABOUT JAPAN 