[ CORRECTION ]
Manju recipe hits a snag
Last week's recipe for Christmas Manju contained a significant error in the amount of water listed in the ingredients. Our saving grace is that anyone who tried to make it that way would have recognized the problem right away and probably could have figured it out, but for the record, the correct version follows. Our apologies to anyone who tried it and ended up with a bowl full of powder.
Christmas Manju
1 18-ounce can koshian (Japanese strained red bean paste)
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon food coloring (red or green)
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons water
2 cups cake flour
28 squares of wax paper, 2-1/2 inches in size
Food coloring pens
Drain koshian completely on layers of newspaper and paper towels. Stack half the newspapers, top with paper towel, then place koshian on paper towel. Cover with another paper towel and other half of newspapers. Change paper as it becomes saturated, until liquid is gone.
Form koshian into 28 3/4-inch balls.
Combine 1/4 cup water, food coloring and sugar. Mix baking soda with the 2 teaspoons water, then add to colored mixture. Add cake flour to liquid mixture and mix until a dough is formed (add more water or flour if necessary). Divide dough into four equal portions.
Roll each portion into a 7-inch log and cut each log into seven 1-inch pieces. Place each piece between sheets of wax paper and flatten with rolling pin or anything handy, like a cup. Use hands to thin out the edges. The flattened dough should be approximately 3 inches wide.
Place a koshian ball in center of dough and wrap dough around ball. Pinch to seal edges.
Roll manju in your hands until pinched areas are smooth and a ball shape is formed. Flatten slightly, then place on a small square of wax paper.
Bring water to boil in lower part of steamer. Place a damp, thin cloth over holes in top part of steamer. Place manju 1 inch apart on cloth. When water is steaming, put top of steamer in place and cover. Steam 12 minutes. Cool manju on rack, with wax paper still attached
After cooling, paint with Christmas designs using food-coloring pens.