Crispy Taiyaki Food

TAIYAKI

Steps:

• Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt in a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl. Sift the ingredients into the bowl and set aside.
• Whisk together the milk, egg and 1/3 cup water in a medium bowl. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients while whisking. Whisk just until the batter is smooth (don't overmix), then cover the bowl and let rest in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• When you're ready to make the taiyaki, heat a closed taiyaki pan over low heat. Meanwhile, divide the anko into 6 portions and place them on a plate. Shape each portion into a cylinder roughly 2 inches long and 2/3 inch wide, tapering each slightly at 1 end.
• Open the pan and lightly brush the molds on the top and bottom with oil. Ladle in or pour from a measuring cup enough batter to fill the 2 bottom molds about halfway (about 2 tablespoons each). Place 1 portion of anko in the center of each bottom mold, putting the tapered end toward the tail. Cover the bean paste with 1 to 2 more tablespoons of batter (see Cook's Note). Close the lid and immediately invert the pan on the burner, holding it firmly shut. Let cook until golden brown on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Invert the pan again and cook until the bottoms of the fish are golden brown and the batter is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Using tongs or chopsticks, gently and carefully transfer the taiyaki to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining batter and anko, lightly greasing the molds between batches. Let cool slightly before serving.

TAIYAKI (JAPANESE FISH SHAPED WAFFLE)

Steps:

• Gather all the ingredients. You will also need a taiyaki maker. Please note that each brand of taiyaki maker comes with a different-sized mold. If you are making taiyaki for the first time, consider this a trial run for measuring the portion of ingredients you'll need for your particular taiyaki mold.
• Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and baking soda into a large bowl.
• Add the sugar and whisk well to combine.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the egg and then add the milk to combine well.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk well. Keep the batter in the refrigerator for at least one hour to rest and let the flour absorb the liquid. Tip: Whisking the batter creates gluten; by letting it rest, the batter will relax and become smooth.
• Pour the batter into a measuring cup or jug. You should have about 1¼ cups for 5 pieces.
• Preheat the taiyaki maker over medium-low heat. When it's hot, grease the pan with the vegetable oil using a brush.
• Fill the taiyaki pan mold about 60% full.
• Put about 1 Tbsp of anko in the center of each mold and pour more batter on top to cover it.
• Optional: You can also use Nutella as a filling.
• Close the lid and immediately flip.
• Cook for 2 to 2½ minutes on that side. Then flip and cook for another 2 to 2½ minutes. Open and check to see if the taiyaki is golden brown. Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Continue cooking the remaining taiyaki.