Hina Matsuri Day

Hina Matsuri Day, also known as "girl's day," is celebrated by the Japanese culture to honor all the girls in the family. Growing up in Hawaii, we usually eat Chi Chi Dango on this day, which is a sweet mochi (using rice flour). Every year my mom makes it for all of her girl friends and sisters. It is cut into thin bite size pieces. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound mochiko (rice flour)
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1 1/2 cups potato starch

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together the mochiko, sugar and baking powder.
2. In a seperate bowl, mix together water, vanilla, coconut milk and red food coloring. Blend in the rice flour mixture. Pour into greased pan.
3. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour, then cool.
4. Take the mochi out & place onto potato starch. Cut & enjoy!