Yet another week has slithered by, a large chunk of which spent in Oxford and its surroundings. Walking the majestic Blenheim Palace grounds, with its manicured lawns, mini-waterfall, and the occasional gambolling deer, I was reminded why, on occasion, I really do love this country. Especially on a gloriously blue-skied day.
I also stopped in on Edamame in central Oxford for some very good Japanese 'home-cooking' -- succulent shogayaki (stir-fried pork loin), teriyaki salmon, and takoyaki (octopus pancake balls). Definitely worth a return visit (or many).
So today I'm kicking back and introducing a guest post by Katie of Matcha Chocolat, an Oxfordshire chocolate company dedicated to handmade tea-inspired chocolates, including a selection featuring three different types of Japanese green tea. (Yum!)
Photo courtesy of Katie at Matcha Chocolat
Matcha tea, the sweet and grassy inspiration that led to Matcha Chocolat, recently enticed me to make yet another green tea infused dessert. Having become slightly obsessed with matcha recipes (I must have a file of nearly a hundred by now), you can imagine I’ve had the chance to try quite a few. Nonetheless, I still find nothing beats a simple matcha mousse, or macaroon, or tiramisu, or.... You get the idea....
Having come from the east coast of the US, where it's fairly easy to find a Japanese restaurant in most decent-sized towns, I was slightly disappointed in the lack of offerings in the UK. As you can imagine my Japanese cookbooks have since multiplied. On occasion I've dabbled in making sushi, but in the end my interests seem limited to tea (and chocolate) -- not a bad thing, mind you.
So another matcha recipe, why not!
~Katie
Recipe: Matcha & White Chocolate Yogurt Mousse
Ingredients
- 3g Gelatin
- 1/2 tsp Matcha (or to taste)
- 50g Vanilla Yogurt
- 100g Light Greek Yogurt
- 150g Whipping Cream
- 70g White Chocolate
Dissolve the gelatin in 2 tbsp water and set aside for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the matcha green tea powder into the vanilla yogurt. Mix the matcha-vanilla yogurt with the Greek yogurt. Microwave the dissolved gelatin for 10 seconds. Pour the yogurt mixture into the melted gelatin and mix.
Melt the white chocolate. Gently whip cream into very soft peaks and then fold in the melted white chocolate. Set aside a few tablespoons of this mixture to top the finished desserts.
Carefully fold the remaining cream and white chocolate into the matcha yogurt mixture. Top with the cream-and-chocolate mixture. Chill.
where can i buy the matcha in oxford??
Posted by: Wen | March 09, 2010 at 06:16 PM
Like Burgers, Matcha seems to be everywhere at the moment. I think i am going to have to hunt some down and try cooking with it. This looks likes a great place to start.
And btw Katie - you have some fab looking chocolates!
Posted by: The Grubworm | March 10, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Hi Wen, it's not easy to find matcha in Oxford. Sometimes they have some at Cardews of Oxford, the tea shop in the covered market. Or oddly enough the skin care company Origins sells matcha and you can get it at Boots of all places. Your best bet is getting it online.
Posted by: Katie | March 10, 2010 at 10:20 AM
The white chocolate yogurt mousse so delicious i remembered the first time i ate that so yummy! Good that you shared this. :)
vee
Posted by: Ferrero Rocher philippines | April 14, 2010 at 02:12 AM