MOCHI MASTER tm

Azure had never cooked in his life, mostly because he never had the need to, as he only ate instant and frozen foods most days. Something changed recently though, or someone.

One night, Dan called Azure to teach him his signature dango recipes. He needed someone dedicated, one who could do the job and perfect it. Although it was not easy at first, he managed to prepare so many dango treats! Azure felt very proud of himself and started cooking like crazy, from raspberry popsicles to more complex things like shoyu ramen.

Just a few weeks ago he would have never thought that he would love to cook like he does now, much less that he would have the honor of Dan presenting him a new challene ; mochi .

Dan called him at three in the morning, wanting Azure at his house at five o'clock sharp, and they would spend all the day making mochi!

“Mochi?! Do you think I'm ready to learn your technique?!”, Azure questioned Dan, although he had been practicing the art of cooking for a few weeks, he didn't know if he could do this. Learn to make mochi in a day? Dan was crazy! However, he was a great teacher, so he had hope.

“They are a bit laborious, but they are worth it. Don’t forget, five o'clock.” Dan said, as he hung up the phone.

“Damn…” Azure mumbled under his breath.

Just as he requested, Azure arrived at Dan's house at five o'clock in the morning.

“Punctual I see, I like that” Dan said, taking Azure by the shoulder and extending his arm.
"Come in.” Dan continued.

Dan took Azure straight to the kitchen, fully equipped and ready to make the mochi. Rice flour, sugar, water and several other things that would be used to make different fillings! Stuff like ice cream, chocolate chips, salt, grapes, some herbs, even… demon peppers and buttons? Dan really was passionate about mochi making! He loved to experiment, maybe Azure should do it some time.

“Well, let's start.” Dan said, rolling up his sleeves as he grabbed a bowl.

He began to explain the process of making the dough for the mochi, Azure didn't know they had gelatin in them, a fun fact to learn!

“Oh! That explains its texture.” Azure exclaimed.

“Yes, it gives them good consistency, smooth, squishy and tasty! " Dan replied, nodding his head.

While Azure prepared pounds of dough, Dan boiled ingredients for the filling in several different pots.

“I understand the ice cream and chocolate chips, even demon pepper… but what are the buttons for?” Azure asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Oh! It's kind of funny, they're not ordinary buttons." Dan said, grabbing a button and biting in to it! 'It must be made of sugar!' Azure thought.

“I see! by the way, where does this salt come from? It looks different” Azure asked curiously, taking one the jars next to a bowl to examine it.

“It's sea salt, it gives a nice salty touch to the mochi. " Dan explained, putting some salt on Azure's finger for him to taste it.

“Yuck! It is very salty.” Azure whine, making a silly face in disgust.

“Yes, it's salt.” Dan said bluntly, but still deep down, friendly in tone.

"Damn!" Azure continued, wiping the strong taste off of his tongue.

Most of the fillings were ready when the duo realized that was already noon, hours had flown by!

"It is hard work…" Azure whined, his feet starting to ache.

“Yes, but it will be worth it, believe me.” Dan said, showing Azure the proper glazing and filling techniques.

Azure nodded, learning to glaze and fill the Mochi.

The sky was slowly getting darker, Azure was becomming exhausted when Dan finally ended the silence.

“Okay, we're done.” Dan said, looking down at the job well done.

Azure perked his ears, they smelled delicious! Dan had a tray full of all kinds of mochi, which Azure was eager to taste.

“May I take one?" Azure asked sheepishly.

“Go ahead, take what you want, you did a great job.” Dan said, a gentle warm tone of pride. He had taught this young man well.

Azure took one of the mochi, putting it in his mouth and chewed away happily.

“it's delicious! I need my imps to try this.” Azure said, his little seal Everest coming to look for his owner, popping in just in time!

"Of course! Be careful though, some can have side effects, " Dan said, making sure Azure knew the possible consequences.

“Okay,  I understand… master.” Azure winked playfully at Dan, though he wasn't sure if the mochi master noticed.

Azure helped Dan clean the kitchen, finally going home after a hard days work. With a bag full of mochi in hand, it was a great day for making mochi. Azure was very tired though, but Dan was right, it was worth it.

He gave a mochi to each one of his imps when he got home. Everest was especially happy with the mochi snacks! Fortunately, it didn't have any side effects this time, Everest remained the same white seal as always...

Azure would eager to learn more recipes soon, but first, a well deserved nap!