[Elderly] Feel the Arrival of Spring with Snack Activities! Recommended Menus for March
March, when it gradually gets warmer, is such a pleasant season—you can feel spring approaching and it makes your heart skip with excitement.
Here are some snack activity recipes that are perfect for March.
A distinctive feature is that many of them are inspired by Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day), since it’s in March.
It’s great for staff to make them so everyone can enjoy a treat, and there are also relatively simple and safe options that older adults can make together and have fun with.
It’s still a bit too chilly to enjoy walks outside, but how about savoring spring-like treats indoors to get a taste of the season?
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[For Seniors] Feel the Arrival of Spring with Snack Activities! Recommended Menus for March (11–20)
Tricolor Mousse
A three-color mousse is the perfect dessert for Hinamatsuri.
The three colors represent the hues of hishimochi.
Red symbolizes peach blossoms, green represents fresh greenery, and white evokes snow.
First, use marshmallows and milk for the white layer.
For the green layer, use matcha.
For the red layer, use strawberry jam.
Pour each color into the cup in separate layers and chill in the refrigerator.
Finish with whipped cream and strawberries on top, and it’s ready.
It’s a beautiful and easy-to-eat dessert, making it a great recommendation for seniors.
Kinako stick-style
This is a kinako stick-style treat that lets you enjoy an old-fashioned flavor.
It uses only three ingredients: water, sugar, and roasted soybean flour (kinako).
Just mix them together and chill, and it’s ready.
After that, feel free to add toothpicks or sprinkle on extra kinako to taste.
Its appearance is reminiscent of classic dagashi (old-time Japanese penny candy), so it’s sure to evoke a bit of nostalgia.
It’s nice to savor while reminiscing about the past.
The texture is pleasantly chewy, and the simple sweetness is quite addictive.
I think people looking for a snack that isn’t too sweet will enjoy it, too.
Fluffy Marshmallow Mousse
The “Fluffy Marshmallow Mousse,” which evokes the arrival of spring, is a lovely snack activity to enjoy with seniors.
The key is that anyone can make it easily—just mix the ingredients together.
Its airy texture and gentle sweetness are sure to bring smiles to seniors’ faces.
You can also enjoy variations by adding fruit or coloring it pink for Hinamatsuri.
Why not make it together with seniors and spend a delightful time while feeling the coming of spring?
Hina-arare (colorful rice crackers for Hinamatsuri)
Hina-arare, a must for the Doll’s Festival.
Traditionally it’s made by deep-frying glutinous rice and the like, but if you use leftover New Year’s kirimochi, you can make it easily without frying! Cut the kirimochi into small pieces and bake them in a preheated oven until crispy.
Put strawberry or matcha powder or kinako into a plastic bag, add the baked mochi once it has cooled slightly, and shake to add flavor and color—that’s it.
When plating, mix the different flavors for a more festive look.
They’re small and easy to eat, but be sure to chew well so you don’t choke.
strawberry daifuku
How about welcoming spring with a cute Japanese sweet filled with strawberries—ichigo daifuku? You can make it authentically using shiratamako or mochiko, but if you use pre-cut mochi blocks, it’s easy to whip up! Put the mochi blocks, sugar, and water in a bowl and microwave until it forms a gyuhi-like dough.
Dust it all over with potato starch, cut into your preferred sizes, then wrap red bean paste and strawberries inside to finish! Another great option is to fill only with red bean paste and place the strawberry on top.
Easy botamochi made with a rice cooker
In March, there is a traditional Japanese event called the Spring Higan.
This time, we’re introducing “botamochi” made with a rice cooker, inspired by the Spring Higan.
You can make three kinds at once: kinako (roasted soybean flour), sesame, and sweet red bean paste.
We cook glutinous rice in the rice cooker along with regular white rice.
Doing so is said to keep the botamochi from hardening over time.
There are plenty of clever tips to make it easily and deliciously, even when homemade.
Some older adults may have made botamochi to offer during Higan.
It’s a recommended activity for March that’s likely to spark nostalgic conversations while you cook.
[Seniors] Feel the arrival of spring with a snack activity! Recommended menus for March (21–30)
matcha parfait
Matcha parfaits are packed with traditional Japanese elements and are a great dessert recommendation for seniors.
With mildly sweet components like matcha and sweet red bean paste, they’re easy to enjoy.
Today I’ll show you how to make a matcha parfait.
First, make the main component: matcha jelly.
Simply mix matcha powder, gelatin, and sugar, then let it set—that’s it! After that, it’s just an easy task of arranging all the components.
The real skill shows in how you plate it.
It looks luxurious and I think it’s the perfect dessert for a Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) party.