Tricoloured Diamond Shaped Hishi Mochi Rice Cakes

Ease:: Medium
Serves:: 3-4
Prep time:: 30 minutes
Cook time:: 10 minutes
Total time:: 40 minutes

Celebrate health and happiness on Hina Matsuri Girl's Day with hishi mochi. Hishi mochi is a symbolic ceremonial dessert and are presented to Hina Matsuri dolls as an offering in the days leading up to Girl’s Day. Its diamond shape is thought to represent fertility and the tricolour of red, white and green symbolises health.

Ingredients

**green layer:**

50g rice flour

40g sugar

75ml water

1-3 tbsp matcha powder, to taste

**white layer:**

50g rice flour

40g sugar

75ml water

**pink layer:**

50g rice flour

40g sugar

75ml water

red food colouring, as needed to achieve desired colour

potato starch powder, for dusting

Method

Start by making the green layer: combine 50g rice flour, 40g sugar, 75ml water, 1-3 tbsp matcha powder in a microwave safe bowl. Mix until evenly combined and the rice flour lumps have been broken down. Place some cling film over the bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. The mixture will become slightly bubbly. Take care, as it will be hot, and give it a stir. Place in the microwave for 1 more minute. Give the mixture a stir again.

Add the green layer into a tray: prepare a tray, we recommended an 8 in. by 8 in. size, and lightly dust the bottom with the potato starch powder. Carefully add the green layer to the tray and stretch it out into a thin layer to coat the bottom of the tray. Using a rolling pin if needed to help spread the mocha until an even thickness is achieved.

Prepare the white and the pink layer: repeat step 1 for the remaining two layers and lay each additional layer on top of the previous one. First the white layer, then the pink layer.

Dust some potato starch powder: dust the top of the mochi with some more potato starch powder.

Cut the mochi: allow the mochi to rest for 30 minutes. Then cut with a sharp knife into diamond shapes for a traditional feel, or into squares if desired.

Serve and enjoy: enjoy with some hina arare rice crackers or some matcha tea for a sweet treat on Hina Matsuri.