Roots and Recipe Final Draft

 The arousing aroma of the sweet-smelling butter mochi, filled the air. A light bulb popped over my head to remind myself that it was Christmas. As my legs raced to the kitchen, there was a quick glance of my mother, who I knew for sure was the one causing this delight. The dish was golden brown, and looked very crunchy. But actually, it was very soft and chewy on the inside. Just looking at the snack, you can just taste the butter. The texture of the Mochi was rough on the outside, but chewy on the inside. There were curious questions dancing through my head just wondering, what makes this "special dish" so "special." The question always occurred to me, but I thought it was no big deal. But my curiosity took over my body and I said, "Mom, what is so special about butter mochi?" She politely answered with, "well, we have been making this dish for a pretty long time, and it takes a long time to make, about 1 or more hours. Not to mention how much it costs." I silently replied with "ok," because I was going to tell her to make it more, but that wasn't going to happen. One question still bugged me, though. So I asked my mom, "What happened the 1st time you tried to cook it?" She replied with, "I was super worried that it was going to be junk, but the family liked it, and I felt relieved."

Every bite of butter mochi I take, it makes me reminisce of those wonderful Christmas days. My three brothers and I wake up to the stench of the desserts that my mom makes for the Christmas parties. Only one word could describe them, ono. The smell would cruise in our house, which was fine with us, while we rip open our gifts. Of course our parents would yell at us to write down what each person gave us.

As the last presents are being opened, and our astonishing faces turn into smiles, I still wondered the secrets behind that sweet, buttery mochi. I then asked my mom, "is there history behind this dish?" Surprisingly, she said, "yes, we only make it for very special occasions, like today. We would also make it for new years. We also pound mochi for the different types, not for butter mochi." At that moment, I was very dumbfounded because I should have known that already. There was another question that popped in my head, "is there any other way to cook this?" She said, "No, only by baking it, so not that much people know about this recipe." That made my heart burst because it made me glad that much people did not know our special dish.

The time was here, time to party! Whenever I take a delicious bite of butter mochi, memories of our interesting Christmas parties give me flashbacks. You have never experienced a party like ours. Everyone are comedians, and very crazy. We play many games, and probably make the neighbors mad, but those are the great memories. After dinner, we eat all the delicious desserts, including my mom's delightful butter mochi. Everyone loves it, but there was one more question that's just wandering in my head. "Mom, what makes this tasty treat so good?" There was a lump in my throat after she said, "There is coconut in it, and it's funny because our family doesn't like coconut." I felt a little sick after that, but I realized that it is too delicious to be sick of, as I finished my last bite. The chewy mochi melted in my mouth, and the "coconutty" taste dancing on my tongue. This was the best cultural dish in the world, and I am lucky to enjoy it. I want to pass down this tradition, and make my mother proud.