Hanami Dango Recipe: A Traditional Japanese Delight

Dwy hesti

July 29, 2023

Introduction

Hanami Dango is a traditional Japanese sweet that is commonly enjoyed during the spring season. It is made from sweet rice flour and is usually served in three different colors: pink, white, and green. The colors represent the blossoms of the cherry tree, which is a major symbol of spring in Japan. Hanami Dango is not only a delicious treat but also a beautiful one that is perfect for Instagram-worthy pictures.

Ingredients

To make Hanami Dango, you will need the following ingredients:

1 cup of mochiko (sweet rice flour)
1/4 cup of sugar
2/3 cup of water
Food coloring (pink and green)
Potato starch or cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine the mochiko and sugar together. Gradually add water to the mixture while stirring constantly until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add more mochiko. If it’s too dry, add more water.

Step 2: Divide the Dough

Divide the dough into three equal parts. Leave one part white and add pink food coloring to the second part and green food coloring to the third part. Knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Form the Dango

Roll each colored dough into small balls. You can make them as big or as small as you like, but traditionally they are about the size of a cherry. Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers to give them a more traditional dango shape.

Step 4: Boil the Dango

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the dango balls to the pot. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they float to the top. Remove the dango from the pot and transfer them to a bowl of cold water.

Step 5: Coat the Dango

Remove the dango from the cold water and coat them with potato starch or cornstarch to prevent them from sticking together.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange the dango on a plate and enjoy them as a sweet treat. You can also serve them with green tea or sakura tea for an authentic Japanese experience.

Nutrition

Here is the nutritional information for one serving of Hanami Dango (based on a recipe that makes 12 servings):

Calories: 85
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Sugar: 7 g
Fiber: 0 g

Conclusion

Hanami Dango is a delicious and beautiful Japanese sweet that is perfect for celebrating the spring season. With its soft and chewy texture and subtle sweetness, it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you’re enjoying it at a hanami picnic or just as a snack at home, this traditional Japanese treat is definitely worth trying. So why not give this hanami dango recipe a try and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills?