Hiyoko Manju: Japanese chick-shaped sweet bread
They're piyokos! They're famous here on Earth. - little kid selling candy Cowboy Bebop, Ep. 9: Jamming with Edward
The piyoko Jet bought during the episode Jamming with Edward was based on the Japanese sweet bread dessert, Hiyoko Manju.
We used pistachio paste as our filling, but traditionally hiyoko manju is made with a sweetened red bean paste. If nuts and beans aren't your thing, you could also try a chocolate fudge filling. The pistachio chicks were delicious and I would definitely recommend giving it a try!
Piyoko (Hiyoko Manju)
What you need:
for the dough-
3/4 C sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg yolk
for the filling- pistachio paste-
2 C pistachios
*optional- For a brighter green filling, blanch and peel the skin off the pistachios.
2 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 C nut oil
1/4 C water- use as needed
What to do:
pistachio paste-
1. Grind the pistachios in a food processor until it is a smooth consistency. Time will vary between 5-10 minutes. It should look like a natural peanut butter, with a little oil on top. 2. Add sugar and salt to the paste. Mix until sugar is blended and the mixture is smooth. 3. While the processor is running, slowing add oil. Mix until paste is silky and the color has lightened. 4. Add water depending on consistency needed to form balls. 5. Using a cookie scoop, make 12 balls. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and put in freezer to harden.
dough-
1. Combine egg yolk and milk in a large bowl. Mix until well incorporated. 2. Add flour and baking powder and mix until dough is soft and smooth. 3. Knead 1-2 minutes 4. Cover dough and let set in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 5. Divide dough into 12 balls.
to assemble the chicks-
1. Place a pistachio paste ball in the middle of a dough ball. Start wrapping the dough around the pistachio until it is completely covered.
2. Once the pistachio ball is covered in dough, take your thumb and forefinger and begin pinching and shaping the head of the chick.
3. After the head is shaped, make sure the body is the shape you want.
4. Take your thumb and forefinger and pinch a tiny beak on the front of the head. 5. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. 6. Use a skewer to decorate the chicks. Burn one end of skewer and press on the chick to create eyes and wing shape.
7. Take a picture, because you will want to show these off!
8. Eat & enjoy!
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