Mochi, Hokkaido Style

Mochi is a sticky rice cake which is often eaten as a traditional Japanese New Year food. There are so many ways to eat it; in Hokkaido where I'm from, the popular way of preparing Mochi is sautéing it in butter until it's crispy on the outside. Butter? Traditional? It makes sense since Hokkaido is the largest dairy producer in Japan. Some like drizzling soy sauce on top, but my personal preference is just butter and a sprinkle of white pepper. 

Crispy on the outside...

Mochi, Hokkaido Style

A piece of pre-cut Mochi
2 tsp butter, or more, depending on the size of your Mochi
Salt and white pepper to taste

Conveniently cut into small individual blocks

This is my white pepper of choice.

Slowly sauté it at medium heat

In a skillet, melt butter and lay a piece of Mochi. Sauté it until it's slightly brown. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Put the lid on the skillet and steam-cook it at medium heat until Mochi is cooked through and soft inside. 

... chewy and gummy inside.

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