Arigató, and thank you, Japan, for the sweets and cartoons! Today's recipe combines both. Have you heard of Doraemon ? Ahhh, now you're interested! Great, because we are too, and that's why we started doing some research.
film and television often Homer Simpson 's donuts , the ham cake from Chavo del 8 , the Ratatouille from the movie of the same name, and, of course, dorayaki .
Do you remember any others? If so, we'll read them in the comments.
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About dorayakis
This is an iconic Japanese dessert that has gained popularity around the world. These pastries filled with cream or azuki bean paste have captivated the hearts and palates of many people thanks to their unique flavor and traditional charm.
What is dorayaki and where does it come from?
The original dorayakis have their roots in Japan's rich culinary tradition. These sweets are believed to have been made in the country for centuries, and their history is intertwined with Japanese culture.
The name “ dorayaki ” is derived from two Japanese words: “ dora ” meaning “ gong ” or “ pancake ”, and “ yaki ” meaning “ grilled ”.
The combination of these terms perfectly describes the preparation of these cakes , which consist of two pancakes cooked on a griddle and joined with a delicious filling.
Doraemon and his love for dorayakis
One of the reasons this dessert is so well-known around the world is thanks to a beloved cartoon character: Doraemon.
This character is a robot cat who travels from the future and is a passionate lover of these sweets.
In the series, Doraemon always carries a bag of dorayaki , and this sweet treat has become his favorite. His love for them has boosted the dessert's popularity, especially among children, and has greatly contributed to Japanese pop culture.
Dorayaki is a jewel of Japanese confectionery that has won hearts around the world. With its rich history, simple ingredients, and numerous variations, it leaves a lasting impression on those who try it .
Furthermore, its connection to Doraemon adds a touch of nostalgia and joy to its legacy in Japanese pop culture.
What are dorayakis made of?
The essential ingredients for making original dorayakis are relatively simple. They're made primarily of flour, eggs, sugar, honey, and baking soda , and the filling varies according to preference, with adzuki bean paste being the most traditional.
Pancake batter is made with flour, eggs, sugar, honey, and baking soda. These ingredients are mixed until a smooth batter is obtained and then cooked in a nonstick pan until golden brown and fluffy.
The most common filling for dorayakis is adzuki bean paste , which is made by cooking and sweetening adzuki beans into a smooth, sweet paste.
This batter is generously placed between the two pancakes and pressed together to create the delicious snack.
Original Dorayaki and its different versions
The original dorayakis are those filled with traditional azuki bean paste, which gives the dessert a sweet and slightly earthy flavor.
However, over the years, numerous variations have been developed to suit different tastes. Some popular variations include:
- Chocolate : Instead of azuki bean paste , these are filled with a generous portion of melted chocolate or a chocolate cream (similar to crema bariloche ), creating a decadent experience for chocolate lovers.
- Creamy : Instead of azuki bean paste, some dorayakis are filled with whipped cream , which adds a light, fluffy texture to the dessert. They're often paired with fresh fruit for an extra touch of freshness.
- Matcha : Matcha tea powder is added to the pancake batter to give it a distinctive flavor and color. The filling can be azuki bean paste or matcha cream.
- Cream Cheese : These dorayakis are filled with a mixture of cream cheese and sugar or a cream cheese frosting , which creates a delicious contrast to the sweetness of the pancake batter.
3 pearls on the dorayaki
In Ueno, Japan, there's a dorayaki called "Usagiya" that's famous for selling giant dorayakis the size of a human head. These enormous desserts are a tourist attraction in themselves.
- In 2017, the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) sent a special version of dorayaki into space as part of an educational project to teach children about gravity and weightlessness. They thus became the first sweets to be launched into space from Japan.
In Tokyo, a festival called “ Tokyo Dorayaki Festival ” is held annually, where local manufacturers compete to present the most delicious and innovative varieties of this sweet.
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Dorayakis recipe
Yield : 8 portions
Preparation time : 1 hour 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the pancakes (dough):
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 large tablespoon of honey
- 1 cup of wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup of water
- Vegetable oil
For filling:
- 1 cup of adzuki beans (red beans)
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
The best dorayakis in 6 steps
- Place the rinsed azuki beans in a large saucepan covered with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes.
- Drain, rinse again, and return to the saucepan. Add 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 30-40 minutes. Let the pasta cool.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until foamy. Add the honey and mix. Add the sifted flour and baking powder, and the water until you have a smooth batter.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly oil it. Pour in a small amount of batter to make a 10cm diameter pancake.
- Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip the pancake and cook the other side. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Once the pancakes have cooled slightly, spread a generous spoonful of adzuki bean paste in the center. Place another pancake on top and press down to adhere.
