Dango

1. Start boiling a large pot of water. You can make this recipe while you're waiting for the water to boil.
   
2. Place your bamboo skewers in water to soak. (This makes the dumplings easier to slide on later.)
   
3. Take a mixing bowl and add 100g (¾ cup) of shiratamako flour. Whisk the dry flour for a minute, I find this helps create a smoother dough.
   
4. Add 125g of silken tofu to the bowl and mix it together with your hands.
   
5. Knead the dough until it's smooth and has the texture of an earlobe. (It's a Japanese saying and it works!)
   
6. If it seems dry and gets cracks add an extra 1-2 tsp of silken tofu. (you can add water instead but be careful, add ½ tsp at a time)
   
7. Divide the dough into 15 equal pieces and roll them into balls. They should be about 15g (½oz) per ball.
   
8. Add them to the boiling water all at the same time. They will sink to the bottom of the pot so stir them occasionally to stop them from sticking to the bottom.
   
9. When they start floating to the top of the water (after about 5-7 mins), set a timer for 2 minutes.
   
10. When 2 minutes are up, use a mesh spoon to transfer them to a bowl of ice cold water.
    
11. Let them cool for a few minutes.
12. Get your bamboo skewers and pierce them through the centre of each dumpling. If you are making dango with 5 pieces, you will have 3 complete dangos. If you are making them with 3 pieces, you will end up with 5 in total.
    
13. Heat up a non-stick frying pan (you don't need any oil unless you don't have non-stick. Use a flavourless oil like vegetable or canola) and add the dango.
    
14. Allow to char a little and then turn. (This adds a toasty flavour and some extra texture! Alternatively you can scorch them with a blowtorch or over the fire on a gas stove, be careful though.)
    

Sauce

1. Take a small cold pan and add 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tsp corn starch and 2½ tbsp cold water.
   
2. Mix well and make sure there aren't any lumps of corn starch.
3. Add to a low heat and stir continuously.
   
4. When the sauce is thickened, pour or brush it over the dango on skewers.
   
5. Eat on the day and enjoy with a cup of matcha tea!