Mochi marvels: Crafting Japan’s beloved sweet at home

Do you dream of moving to the Land of the Rising Sun without leaving home? Reach for mochi with strawberries, a sweet treat that has taken the world by storm. You can prepare the delicate, sticky dough with a juicy strawberry inside easier than you think.

The world has gone wild for mochi, including Poland. The most prevalent version is ice cream, but the traditional version has also found its fans. Making mochi is not as difficult as it might seem. Such a dessert will delight young and adult faces alike, with everyone glad to indulge in a sweet strawberry encased in rice dough.

Mochi are traditional Japanese sweets that amaze with their unique texture. The soft, slightly stretchy, sticky rice dough conceals a sweet surprise - juicy strawberry, offering a refreshing, fruity flavour.

The only challenge might appear to be sourcing rice flour. You can easily buy it online or at Asian food stores. It's worth the effort because mochi is a dessert that impresses with its taste hidden in its simplicity. It's perfect for any occasion—a sweet snack, a dessert to accompany coffee or an original treat for guests.

Ingredients:

• 200g rice flour (preferably mochiko),
• about 200 ml water,
• 100g sugar,
• 500g fresh strawberries,
• 100g potato starch.

How to prepare:

1. In a bowl, mix the rice flour with sugar. Add water and mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth consistency.
2. Prepare a steamer or a larger pot. Place the bowl or smaller pot with the dough over the boiling water and steam for about 20 minutes. Stir the dough occasionally and check if it has become transparent and elastic.
3. Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and dry them. If they're too large, you can cut them in half.
4. Generously sprinkle potato starch on the work surface.
5. Spread the hot dough on the surface, sprinkle with starch, and gently knead until it becomes more elastic.
6. Dust your hands with starch to prevent the dough from sticking. Take a piece of dough, flatten it in your hand, and place a strawberry in the center. Seal the dough around the filling, forming a ball.
7. Coat each pastry in additional starch so they do not stick to each other or your hands. Shake off the excess starch with a brush.

The finished mochi with strawberries can be served immediately or chilled in the fridge for a short time. Enjoy!