Japanese Desserts Series: Wagashi 和菓子 Ohagi Botamochi おはぎ (ぼたもち)

Wagashi 和菓子

Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections that are often served with green tea, especially the types made of mochi, anko and fruits. Wagashi are typically made from plant-based ingredients.

Ohagi (Botamochi) おはぎ (ぼたもち)

Made with glutinous rice and red bean paste, these Japanese Sweet Rice Balls are offered to one’s ancestors and eaten during the spring and autumn equinoxes in Japan. They are called Botamochi in spring and Ohagi in autumn.

In autumn, they are called Ohagi (おはぎ), named after the autumn flower, hagi (萩 bush clover).

In spring, they are called Botamochi (ぼたもち), named after the spring flower, botan (牡丹 peony).

Mochigome/ Glutinous rice

Glutinous rice is a type of rice grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia, Northeastern India and Bhutan which has opaque grains, very low amylose content, and is especially sticky when cooked. It is widely consumed across Asia

Uruchimai/ Japanese short-grain rice

Japanese rice, or uruchimai, is the staple of the Japanese diet and consists of short translucent grains.

Black Sesame Seeds

According to Dr. Rupali Dutta, Chief Nutritionist, SmartCooky, “Black sesame seeds are a good source of energy due to the high-fat content. They contain healthy fats like polyunsaturated fatty acids and Omega-6. They also contain fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.”

Kinako (Soybean flour)

Kinako, also known as roasted soybean flour, is a product commonly used in Japanese cuisine. In English, it is usually called “roasted soy flour”. More precisely it is “roasted whole soy flour”. Usage of the word kinako appeared in cookbooks from the late Muromachi period. Kinako means “yellow flour” in Japanese

Ingredients:

For Making Ohagi (Botamochi)

• 2 rice cooker cups sweet rice/glutinous rice (Mochigome)
• 1 rice cooker cup uncooked Japanese short-grain rice
• 1 tsp kosher/sea salt

For Black Sesame Coating

• 6 Tbsp toasted black sesame seeds
• 2 Tbsp sugar

Instructions:

Japanese Desserts Series: Wagashi 和菓子 Ohagi Botamochi おはぎ (ぼたもち)

For full instructions, please watch the video