rice starch paste

1)
This neutral pH rice starch powder is made from glutinous rice, so mixing and
cooking it on the stove is not necessary. If your tap water has a high mineral content, use distilled water instead.

1. Place 3 tablespoons of rice starch powder in 1 cup of boiling water.
2. Stir briskly with a wire whisk until smooth. If there are lumps left, pour the hot mixture through a strainer and discard the lumps.
3. Cool before using. The rice paste will thicken as it cools. This recipe will produce a paste that is about the consistency of heavy cream or yogurt.

For a thicker paste, use 4 tablespoons of rice starch; for a thinner paste, use 2 tablespoons.

2)
If you prefer to cook the paste, this recipe is from The Art & Craft of Woodblock Printmaking.

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of rice starch with 5 dl (3½ tablespoons) cold water
2. Stir until smooth and milky
3. Bring 150ml (2/3 cup) of water almost to the boil
4. Add the paste mix in a smooth ribbon while stirring
5. Bring to a boil and keep stirring constantly until the mix goes translucent (about five minutes)
6. Cool, stirring from time to time

The mixture will thicken as it cools. If it is too thick, thin with water. If it is too thin, make a new mixture
but this time make it extra thick so you can add it to the first mixture. Combining the two will give the
optimal thickness.