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1
Place the ingredients marked with a into a microwave-safe bowl.
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2
Dilute the red food coloring with the water in a separate bowl.
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3
Add the colored water into the bowl with the dry ingredients a little bit at a time, mixing well so that no lumps form.
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4
Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for two minutes.
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5
Remove and stir well, then cover and microwave for one more minute.
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6
This will produce a springy dough.
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7
Roll the dough out on a surface dusted with the katakuriko while it is still warm.
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8
It should be about 2-3mm thick.
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9
Using a round cookie cutter or a cup, cut out a circle of dough.
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10
I used one that was 8cm in diameter.
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11
Place about 5g of shiro-an, rolled into a 2cm ball, in the middle of the circle.
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12
Create the petals by bringing the sides together.
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13
Here's how to form the first petal.
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14
Forming the second petal.
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15
Forming the third petal... Now it's starting to look like a flower!
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16
When you've brought the fourth and fifth petals together, pinch the middle part together firmly enough that it all stays together.
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17
Use your finger to open up each petal, making them nice and round.
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18
If you use kitchen scissors to cut a notch into the end of each petal, it will look even more like a cherry blossom.
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19
Place a bit of shiro-an mixed with yellow food coloring in the middle of each flower to make the stamens.
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20
Now they're ready to serve.
