Poke & Prod: Matcha Green Tea

Each week in Poke & Prod, Ms. "I Want Seconds" explores a theme ingredient and reports to us her culinary experiments. The cooking is spontaneous using ingredients found in her fridge and pantry, and thus, he he - her recipes are original. For the second week in a row, she celebrates a green food: Matcha Green Tea.


Cleopatra:
Now I feed myself
With most delicious poison.
In Shakespeare's play, Antony and Cleopatra, the ruling lady of Egypt utters these dying words as she poisons herself and imagines rejoining her love, Antony, in the afterlife. Antony had just died in her arms and she is forced to cede her throne after losing an epic battle at sea.

Okay, okay - I admit it. My experiences with matcha green tea pale in comparison to this Shakespearean heartwrencher. But wait, there is tragedy to my story too! I LOVE green tea, especially matcha green tea. But, I am very allergic to it! Matcha is my "most delicious poison." To fill my matcha void, I've decided to do two things. First, I am naming my first born child or my next pet dog, whichever comes first, "Matcha" (which will be pronounced "MA...(pause)...CHaaaaa", in the same tone and manner that the hyenas made each other shudder with "MuFASSaaaa, MuFASSaaa, MuFASSaaa" in The Lion King. Second, I am dedicating this week's Poke & Prod to Matcha Green Tea.

Matcha is a very concentrated Japanese green tea that comes in the form of a fine green powder. If you've ever had green tea icecream or green tea mochi or green tea mochi icecream, chances are that you've had matcha. Matcha has a distinct malty, slightly bitter, bold green tea taste that combines wonderfully with milk or cream. You can prepare a simple traditional tea drink by whisking it into hot water. Or, you can use it to make delicious frapps, lattees and desserts.

Recipe 1: Matcha Mallows(this recipe is for mature audiences)

• Using a fork, blend a heaping teaspoon of matcha powder with 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Melt the green butter and 30 regular marshmallows in a big pot over low heat.
• Take pot off heat.
• Add 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal, a handful of sliced almonds and fold it all together.
• Pour mixture into greased pan that is at least an inch deep.
• Cover mixture with wax paper and press down firmly.
• Let it cool. Then divide and conquer!

Recipe 2: Green Tea Infused Jasmine Rice with Fresh Papaya Chunks, Plump Raisins & Toasted Almonds

• Step One: Infuse Rice With Green Tea
• Dissolve heaping teaspoon of matcha powder with water. Keep it clump-free
• Add desired amount of rice to pot.
• Put green tea mixture in pot and add water until you have twice as much liquid as rice.
• Cover and cook over low/medium heat.
• When pot comes to a boil, stir rice and cover again.
• Put rice in container and refrigerate overnight.


• Step Two: Put it Together
• In large pan, add good amount of oil and stirfry sliced almonds, raisins (and whatever bits of veggies/meat/tofu you'd like).
• Add green tea infused rice using spatula to break up rice clumps.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cubed papaya and cook for another couple of minutes.
• Serve.

Recipe 3: Zen Inspired Panna Cotta(makes 8 yummy desserts!)

• Dissolve teaspoon of matcha powder and 2 small packets of unflavoured gelatin into half cup milk
• Over low heat, bring 2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup sugar to a simmer.
• Add gelatin/green tea mix to pot.
• Pour into small dessert cups.
• Chill in fridge for 3 hours.
• Serve with evaporated milk.

Now, I'm curious - what's YOUR "delicious poison?" E-mail me and I'll report your answers (anonymously) in a subsequent posting.