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Mochi Magic by Kaori Becker is a recipe book that any mochi fan out there will want to try. It is a delightful and entertaining process that is well explained in the book. The easy to follow instructions and whimsical images will have any beginner creating mochi in no time.
Title: Mochi Magic: 50 Traditional and Modern Recipes for the Japanese TreatAuthor: Kaori Becker
Publisher: Storey Publishing LLC
Genres: Cookbook, Lifestyle
Publication Date: November 24, 2020
Rating:
Mochi — the traditional Japanese treat made of chewy rice dough — is a popular and versatile vehicle for all kinds of sweet and savory fillings, and easily molded into adorable shapes and characters that define Japan’s culture of cuteness. Food writer Kaori Becker’s easy-to-follow techniques for creating and cooking with mochi deliver the perfect mix of fun and tradition. Each colorful page brims with recipes for hand-pounded, steamed, and modern microwave mochi; fillings like rosewater, Nutella, black sesame, Oreo Cream Cheese, and Japanese plum wine; mochi-focused goodies like Bacon-Wrapped Mochi, Ozoni Soup, baked goods; and inspiration for shaping irresistibly charming mochi flowers, baby chicks, pandas, and more. Kawaii!!
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Mochi Magic by Kaori Becker
The way the author has written and organized this book gives a relatively easy process to make mochi. There is also a very detailed introduction that describes the author’s experiences and how she came to be a mochi expert. It is quite interesting to read about her workshops for teaching how to make mochi. As she explains, the process is a way to not only create delicious treats, but to also connect with one another.
❀ Includes Wonderful Descriptions of Japanese Culture
This is more than just a book of recipes, as there are many wonderful descriptions of Japanese culture. It also includes some stunning imagery and a handy set of Q & A questions for each recipe. It is incredible to discover the different techniques to create mochi. The contents of the book are as follows:
- Mochi Making Basics
- Daifuku (Filled) Mochi: The Dough
- Daifuku (Filled) Mochi: The Fillings
- Decorating Mochi
- A New Year’s Tradition: Pounding Mochi
- Baked Mochi
- Odango: Balls of Fun
❀ Easy to follow recipes
The recipes in this book are really easy to follow and will definitely produce amazing results. I tried my hand at the coconut mochi and had such a fun experience! The mochiko (sweet rice flour) was easy to source on Amazon and the other ingredients were ones already in my cupboard. Using the microwave method made the entire process super quick. While it was really easy to create the mochi, it is a process that requires a bit of refinement to get it just right. The ones that I created were absolutely tasty, but they didn’t appear as pretty as I had hoped. With a little more practice, I am certain that I will make some stunning mochi from this book.
❀ Something a little bit different
Mochi Magic by Kaori Becker is a recipe book that is something a little bit different from your ordinary dessert cookbook. The treats are easy to create and the instructions are simple to follow. This is a fun addition to your kitchen bookshelf that will provide lots of enjoyment, especially during times of social distancing.
About Kaori Becker
Kaori Becker is the author of Mochi Magic and a cook specializing in Japanese cuisine. Growing up "hapa" (half-Japanese) in the Bay Area, she was drawn to her mother's Japanese home cooking, especially sweets and baked goods. Together with her mother, Becker runs Kaori's Kitchen, a Bay Area cooking school featuring popular mochi classes. Kaori's popular and unique 5-course Mochi-making classes inspired the creation of Mochi Magic. Kaori also co-owns The Mochi Shop in Columbus, Ohio.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
Oh my goodness, someone needs to make these for me 😍
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…#NonfictionNovember — New to My TBR
Ha! I need a bit more practice!!
My daughter would LOVE this!
I think that it would be so much fun for kids to try!
Oooh I would have loved doing this with my kids!
Right?! I think these are so cute!
This is wonderful, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!
This is new to me and sounds so yummy.
Laura Thomas recently posted…The Dickens & Christie Mysteries by Kathy Manos Penn ~ Spotlight and Giveaway
They are!! 😉
This books looks entertaining and fun! I have always wanted to learn a bit about making mochi at home for the family.
@tisonlyme143
This is a perfect book for that!
oooh this is one I want! I tried making mochi once, as I wanted to make the mochi covered ice cream. I used the microwave, and probably didn’t have the kind of rice flour that would be best, I want to know!!!!!
The mochi ice cream sounds like so much fun! I hope that you get to try it again some time.
My youngest daughter is as obsessed by Japan as I am, she’d love this!
Heather recently posted…Book Review | Adam’s Ark by Frances Brand #adamsark #netgalley
This would be perfect for her!
How cute are those! I wish I could do that. Thanks for posting!
They are super cute, for sure!
This looks fun and creative!
I agree!
I’ve never heard of these! They do look cute though!
I’ve made mochi before, as I like experimenting with foods new to me, and I did use the microwave. I’d love this book, it would be fun to try some of these ideas, I wonder how it compares to molding fondant.
This book looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, my, are these ever adorable!
I have never heard of this before, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I know my daughter in law has been to Japan and learned some of the language. Will have to see if she knows abut this.