Ichigo Daifuku - Strawberry Mochi - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups mochiko sweet rice flour (rice flour)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
12 small strawberries, washed, dried, stems removed
1 (18 ounce) can sweetened red bean paste (Tsubushian)

Preparation

Mix the sugar and water together in a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
Remove from heat and add mochiko.
Stir until smooth, then turn the heat down and return pot to burner.
Heat for 2 more minutes, stirring often.
Let cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When cool, take the mochi and make it into walnut sized balls then flatten them.
Cover strawberries all over with a thin layer of the bean paste.
Place a strawberry in the center of each mochi and bring edges together, pinching to close. Note: use mochiko on hands and mochi pieces to prevent sticking.
The ichigo daifuku are now ready, serve as desired.