Japan is not only famous for pioneering the field of technology but also its vast and exuberant culture. When we talk about culture, the first and foremost part of every culture is its food. Pick any country around the world and you will see how greatly it is defined by its traditional cuisine.
Japanese food is famous all around the world. There are roughly about 106 kinds of Japanese food which include their famous desserts. Long before sugar was so commonly used across the globe, Japan started making desserts from simple ingredients such as rice and sweet beans and from that point onwards the innovation of unique desserts started.
Even today when it comes to Japanese desserts, one cannot not stop but be fascinated by the techniques and ingredients these desserts are made from. Some of the very famous desserts which are also a part of this cookbook are mochi, daifuku, dorayaki, dango, manju and coffee jelly.
This Japanese dessert cookbook features thirty recipes that are popular even outside Japan. The preparation method of each recipe is so detailed that an amateur chef can also execute a complete professional dessert in first attempt. Most ingredients of these desserts are already in your pantry and those which are not; they are easily available at any Asian supermarket.
These Japanese dessert recipes will definitely be a hit among your friends and family. With these vast dessert choices you can now experience the authentic flavors of Japan right in the comfort of your home. The presentation of every dessert is of great value and counts for how tempting it looks so make sure you put extra effort on your presentation skills.
1. Strawberry Rice Cake
Strawberry rice cake also known as ichigo daifuku in Japanese is a traditional strawberry dessert where the juicy strawberries are wrapped with anko and mochi mixture and shaped into decent balls. The sourness of strawberries adds a bold flavor to the overall confection.
Servings:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- Glutinous rice flour (mochiko), 5/8 cups
- Strawberries, 5
- Water, 5/8 cups
- Corn starch, for dusting
- Sugar, 2 tablespoons
- Sweet red bean paste (Anko), cup
Method:
Combine flour and sugar in a bowl and keep aside.
Hull strawberries and arrange on paper tower to pat dry. Keep aside.
Make five anko balls for same size and cloak the strawberries with these balls only leaving the tip unwrapped.
Now add water to the flour mixture gradually and mix using a silicone spatula. Combine until thick. Heat the mixture in the microwave for a minute and mix again. Cover with plastic and microwave for another minute. Mix again with the spatula and cover with plastic and microwave for 30 seconds. The mixture will turn translucent by now.
Dust corn starch over the counter. Take out the flour mixture from the bowl and put it on the dusted counter add some more corn starch on top.
Flatten mochi mixture and fold in half. Divide it into five pieces.
Flatten each piece and place strawberry on it. Carefully wrap the strawberry with mochi and twist the edges to seal tightly.
Let cool for an hour before serving.
2. Three-Ingredient Japanese Cheesecake
This delicate three ingredient cheesecake is super easy to make. The trick is to whip and combine everything well. The perfect consistency of the egg whites is when you whip them and invert the bowl and the mixture doesnt fall off. The other ingredients are added to the chocolate while it is still in the double boiler so be very careful not to overheat it.
Servings:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese, 120 g
- White chocolate, 120 g
- Eggs, 3
Method:
Crack eggs in a bowl and separate the yolks. Refrigerate the whites for 2 hours or as long as possible.
Preheat the oven to 338 F.
Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Make sure you do not burn it.
Whip chilled whites until soft peaks forms.
Add cream cheese to the melted chocolate and stir to combine.
Now add yolks and combine them well in the chocolate mixture.
Take 1/3 of the whites mixture and fold it gently in the chocolate mixture. Repeat with the remaining whites, adding 1/3 of it each time.
Combine well and make sure you do not rush in combining the mixture.
Prepare a baking pan with parchment paper and brush it with a little butter. Transfer the mixture to the pan and place the pan over a baking sheet filled with a little hot water.