Jan.11, Kagami Biraki

   Today is Kagami biraki, the day when the New Years mochi,  all cracked and dried by now, is taken down and traditionally broken with a hammer, especially in martial arts dojos, to signify the beginning of another year's practice.

en.surfer-girl.com.    Image taken from internet.

   Miura Sensei, my naginata teacher, once told me that she used to take the broken bits of mochi and fry them in a pan until they became lightly browned and crispy, sprinkle them with salt and put them in an air tight container.   Sounds like a great snack to serve with green tea.    Home made arare.

    Hmm…just out of curiosity.  Can I make some not using real pounded kagami mochi but store bought individually wrapped ones.  

Didn't turn out how I imagined it should.  Too moist, I think.  But it tasted okay, not crunchy but a bit chewy.