Easy to Make Ohagi (Rice Cakes)

Ingredients

• 1 rice bowls worth White rice", "1 Ready-made dry mochi rice cake", "1 Anko red bean paste", "1 Kinako", "1 Ground white sesame seeds", "1 Sugar

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice, and soak in water for about 30 minutes.
2. Chop the mochi into 5 mm cubes.
3. Put the rice into a rice cooker, scatter the diced mochi on top, then add a touch more water than when preparing regular white rice.
4. Transfer the steamed rice to a bowl and, using a dampened pestle, mash the rice in a pounding motion.
5. Wet your hands and separate the mixture into a dozen barrels.
6. Coat the entire surface of the rice cakes from Step 4 in anko.
7. Or, if you like, sprinkle kinako powder mixed with sugar.