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Hanami dango is a traditional Japanese sweet enjoyed during cherry blossom viewing season. These dumplings are typically made with three different colors, each representing the colors of cherry blossoms—pink, white, and green. Here’s a simple recipe to make three-colored Hanami dango dumplings:
Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour (mochiko)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- Food coloring (pink and green)
- Toppings (optional): Kinako (roasted soybean flour), sugar, or sweet soy sauce
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour and sugar.
- Gradually add water to the dry ingredients, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into three equal portions.
2. Color the Dough
- For the pink dough: Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one portion of the dough and knead until the color is evenly distributed.
- For the white dough: Leave one portion of the dough as is.
- For the green dough: Add a few drops of green food coloring to the remaining portion of the dough and knead until the color is evenly distributed.
3. Shape the Dough
- Take a small piece of each colored dough and roll them into balls of equal size, about 1-inch in diameter.
- Repeat this process until you have used up all the dough.
4. Cook the Dumplings
- Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium heat.
- Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water and cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the dumplings float, remove them from the water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool and set the color.
5. Serve
- Drain the dumplings from the ice water and thread them onto skewers, alternating the colors to create a visually appealing pattern.
- Serve the Hanami dango dumplings with your choice of toppings, such as kinako (roasted soybean flour), sugar, or sweet soy sauce.
Enjoy
Hanami dango is best enjoyed fresh, so serve them immediately after making. These colorful and chewy dumplings are perfect for celebrating cherry blossom season or any special occasion. Enjoy the delicate sweetness and beautiful colors of these traditional Japanese treats!
