Yakimochi
Encyclopedia
Yakimochi is literally grilled
or broiled mochi
or pounded rice cake
. Traditionally, it is prepared using a small charcoal
grill
but in modern times a gas grill can be used. During the time of the Autumn Moon it is traditional to eat fresh yakimochi while sipping sake and enjoying the view of the full moon
.
Yakimochi can be prepared several ways:
Grilling
Grilling is a form of cooking that involves dry heat applied to the surface of food, commonly from above or below.Grilling usually involves a significant amount of direct, radiant heat, and tends to be used for cooking meat quickly and meat that has already been cut into slices...
or broiled mochi
Mochi
Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. While also eaten year-round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time...
or pounded rice cake
Rice cake
A rice cake may be any kind of food item made from rice that has been shaped, condensed, or otherwise combined into a single object. A wide variety of rice cakes exist in many different cultures in which rice is eaten, and are particularly prevalent in Asia. The origin of rice cake seems to be...
. Traditionally, it is prepared using a small charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
grill
Grill (cooking)
A barbecue grill is a device for cooking food by applying heat directly from below. There are several varieties of such grills, with most falling into one of two categories: gas-fueled and charcoal. There is a great debate over the merits of charcoal or gas for use as the cooking method between...
but in modern times a gas grill can be used. During the time of the Autumn Moon it is traditional to eat fresh yakimochi while sipping sake and enjoying the view of the full moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
.
Yakimochi can be prepared several ways:
- "Isobemaki" is yakimochi that has been grilled with soy sauce and then wrapped in noriNoriis the Japanese name for various edible seaweed species of the red alga Porphyra including most notably P. yezoensis and P. tenera, sometimes called laver. Finished products are made by a shredding and rack-drying process that resembles papermaking...
seaweed. - "Abekawa yakimochi" is broiled mochi that is soaked in hot water and then covered with a mixture of sugar and kinako, a type of bean powder.