more green tea for me!

Here is my most recent attempt at baking with matcha tea. This cake is probably my best attempt: the texture was perfect: moist and dense but not undercooked with a delicate, grassy flavor. We all loved it!

Here's the recipe:

1 cup margarine
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon matcha powder


Preheat oven 350 degrees.
1. margarine + sugar + eggs + egg yolks = mix it well
2. flour + baking powder + salt + matcha = sift together
3. Mix 1 and 2 and add milk
4. put in greased mold. put in the oven for about 45 minutes.

Tea and things!

I listed more stuff on my etsy store today: 3 pretty washi paper tea canisters filled with loose leaf jasmine tea, darjeeling and lychee black tea.

Each canister and tea comes with my very own recipe of :

* Caramelized apple cake with jasmine tea whipped cream
* Strawberry and lychee salad with lychee black tea syrup
* Darjeeling infused fruit compote

earl grey cookies...

...can't wait to try these vegan shortbread cookies flavored with earl gray tea available at this etsy store!

Rose Milk Tea in Beijing

... just for that I want to go to China. Diana Kuan's blog is one of my favorite reads, with recipes such as rose milk tea, coconut hot chocolate, homemade almond milk with bananas and honey.

(photo belongs to Diana Kuan)

Tuesday: Pretty in Green!

I love it when people add matcha to traditional pastry. Here is a collection of pretty green tea cupcakes. I usually find cupcakes to sweet for my taste but they are so pretty to look at, they're like plump and decadent miniature cakes.

These cupcakes get points for pretty decorations. Love the red and green contrast. Apparently they're vegan, even better!

I like the blue hues in these ones.

The sweet but strong taste of chocolate in these cupcakes should complement well the grassy flavor of matcha

This cupcake is delicate and simple like a pretty flower.

Now, if this inspired you to make your own green tea cupcake, here is a recipe you should try!

Monday: eating tea

I always try to find ways to incorporate tea in my baking. My last attempt is this Matcha Tea Cake I made on a week-end. It was light and moist and of course I loved the delicate flavor of matcha tea powder. Click here for the full recipe.

Later, I used the same recipe but used rose petals and rose water instead of matcha powder. Here is the result:

Thursday: Chai-Coconut Smoothie

glass by designer Eleanor Grosh

1 banana
2 cups chai-infused soy milk (prepare chai tea using soy milk instead of water)
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 chocolate macaron cups by Smart Treat
1/2 cup maple syrup
Ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

I enjoyed this smoothie with an apple crumb bun from the Amish market. Yum!

Now I realized that this Shinzi Katoh 2 pieces mug is just what I need to enjoy my drink with a treat. It's available at online boutique three potato four.

pictures belong to three potato four

friday : favorite soundtrack to my gypsy tea

I have a real obsession for gypsy dance and music, hence the extended soundtrack.

This one is by Shantel, a new sensation in the Balkan. It's called 'Disko Partizani'


This one is the New York based band Gogol Bordello


And finally, my own personal attempt at Gypsy folk dance. Not so convincing but I'm still working on it!


And here is the recipe for homemade Gypsy Tea, enjoy!

Ingredients

2 Oranges                                          
3 Lemons                             
1 dozen Cloves        
1 Tbs. Ground Allspice                    
1/2 Cinnamon Stick                                     
3 Tbs. Black Tea                                     
2 Quarts Boiling Water                                     
1 & 1/4 Cups Sugar

Directions
                               
Squeeze juice from the oranges & lemons; set aside. Remove rinds & put in large
container. Add cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks & tea. Pour boiling water over
the tea mixture & let stand for about 10 minutes. Strain & then return liquid
container. Stir in the juices & sugar. 

monday: i want to smell like tea

For today: a very light post made out of pretty bubbles, small petals and delicate scents...

I love Saipua poetic flower arrangements like this pretty amarylis bouquet.

Also loving their tea scented soap. The Chai Tea and Jasmine Tea Soaps especially. I want to smell like tea!

(note: pictures belong to SAIPUA)