Watermelon Mochi (Print Version)

A chewy, sweet Japanese-inspired dessert that captures summer's essence with fresh watermelon and glutinous rice flour.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 ripe watermelon
02 - 230 g glutinous rice flour
03 - 65 g cornstarch
04 - 40 g sugar
05 - 300 g watermelon juice (blended from watermelon)
06 - 30 g butter
07 - Cooked glutinous rice flour (for dusting)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Cut the watermelon in half. Scoop out the flesh and remove any seeds. Place the flesh in a blender and blend until smooth to yield 300 g of watermelon juice.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour, cornstarch, and sugar. Gradually add the watermelon juice, stirring continuously until well combined. Sift the mixture for a smoother texture.
03 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, poking small holes for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
04 - While the mixture is still hot, stir in the butter until fully melted and integrated. Allow the dough to cool to room temperature, then knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
05 - Transfer the dough to a container lined with parchment paper. Flatten the surface and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
06 - Dust the surface with cooked glutinous rice flour to prevent sticking. Cut the chilled dough into strips and then into bite-sized pieces.