The Ninja Baker - matcha green tea

Fig and White Chocolate Matcha Donuts

NinjaBaker — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:32:08 +0000

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Life is a mystery. The atrocities and the miracles leave me awe-struck. I marvel too how lore infused in foodstuffs have endured centuries. Why do some foods continue to carry symbolic meaning through time?

Parables in the Bible are rife with figs. Lessons in spiritual maturation are reflected upon in stories of trees barren of figs to those burgeoning with ripe fruit. The Song of Solomon – a tribute to love and a text sacred to both Jews and Christians – features the fig.

A fresh fig tart featured at the Food Bloggers Los Angeles Figology Fest II sponsored by the California Fig Advisory Board.
The recipe for this divine dessert and other fig wonders are available at
Judy Lyness' Two Broads Abroad.

In the time of Pliny (pal to Roman Emperor Vespasian, scientist and commander of the army, 52-113 AD), the fig was seen as a fruit that reduces wrinkles and restores health. Doctors today may not be promising figs as the next Botox but they are touting the fruit as an excellent source of fiber. And a good choice for those concerned with cholesterol.

Another heavenly fig treat featured at the Figology Fest II.
Erika Kerekes of In Erika's Kitchen and CEO of Not Ketchup concocted this
creamy deeeelicious Boozy Fig Milkshake.

Here are a few more fun fig facts presented by the California Fig Advisory Board. (California is responsible for 100% of the dried figs in the US and 98% of the nation's fresh figs.)

Green tea is great for drinking and turning into ice cream!
Click here for the recipe.

Japanese green tea is also said to fight cholesterol. The tea has antioxidants as well. (Doctors are in the early stages of discovery about green tea's impact on cancer cells.)

From centuries ago, matcha green tea is a beverage imbued with reverence in Japan. Uji, a town renowned for its green tea is featured in the Japanese classic, The Tale of Genji. (The world's first novel written by a Japanese female author, Murasaki Shikibu.) Genji, the Imperial playboy sips and engages in repartee replete with double entendres in a multitude of scenes.

My friend Mas' Japanese ceramics are exquisite and in-demand. He's a master of ceramics and a dedicated student of the Japanese tea ceremony.

In Japan, as ubiquitous as green tea is in everyday life, there is still a reverence for the drink. Coffee may be popular for a lighthearted chat. Serious negotiations and meetings, however, call for pomp and circumstance and the finest green tea. (That is an observation of one who as an executive assistant served countless cups of green tea to many a Japanese CEO and his colleagues.)

Fads like the greasers fashions and dancing to ‘50s music may delight many Japanese teens and 20 somethings pop up. Yet the respect for and the demand for the ancient art of the Japanese tea ceremony endures.

The Ninja Baker's Fig and White Chocolate Matcha Donut

In tribute to the enduring fig and the matcha green tea leaf, I created fig and white chocolate matcha donuts. Although I may not understand all the whys and wherefores of life, I do know a delicious combo of flavors for a donut. The ethereal matcha with its subtle bitterness balances the earthy sweet Cabernet flavored Mission fig. The rich black fig also adds a pleasing thin jam texture to the donut. White chocolate chips dot the donuts…But why stop there? Why not dunk the donuts in white chocolate ganache? Granted it makes for sticky finger food, but, fig and white chocolate matcha donuts make for one delicious dressed up donut.

Fig and White Chocolate Matcha Donuts

A soft kiss of a donut which flirts with the flavors of figs and matcha green tea. Black Mission figs add a gentle jam texture while the white chocolate chips adds a velvety touch of sweet.

Makes 18 donuts and 24 donut holes

Adapted from the Barefoot Contessa’s Food Network recipe.

Ingredients:

For the donuts:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ cups sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons green tea matcha
3 tablespoons white chocolate cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon fleur de sel (or table salt)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
¾ cup milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 small Black Mission figs, peeled, stems trimmed
2 cups white chocolate chips

For the white chocolate ganache:

½ cup heavy cream
2 packages (11 ounces) white chocolate chips

Directions:

For the donuts:

Prepare donut pans by spraying them with Baker’s Joy or similar product.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Melt the butter (about 30 seconds in the microwave.) Allow to cool.
Sift together the flour, sugar, green tea matcha, white chocolate powder and salt into a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, butter, vanilla and figs together.
Create a well in the middle of the flour / matcha / white chocolate bowl. Pour in the contents of the fig bowl. Stir in the white chocolate chips.
Fill the ¾ full for donut pans or ½ full for the cake pop pans with the batter.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

For the white chocolate ganache:

Heat the heavy cream until tiny boiling bubbles appear.
Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate. Stir vigorously until the ganache is smooth and ready for dunking donuts!

Ninja Note: When coating the donuts with white chocolate, forks and fingers are handy utensils.

Sake wine cups are perfect for a sip of milk to accompany
a fig and white chocolate matcha donut hole.

Wishing you a week where all the puzzle pieces fit.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Follow Ninja Baker @NinjaBaking's board NinjaBaking.com Sweets on Pinterest.

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The Ninja Baker's Japan, Part 1

NinjaBaker — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:32:41 +0000

With the start of the New Year, I'm adding a new feature entitled the Ninja Baker's Japan. I'll be bringing you photos, videos and poetry from my Japan journal. Hope you enjoy!

The knell of the bells at the Gion temple
Echoes the impermanence of all things.
The colour of the flowers on its double-trunked tree
Reveals the truth that to flourish is to fall.
He who is proud is not so for long,
Like a passing dream on a night in spring.
He who is brave is finally destroyed,
To be no more than dust before the wind.

Legends of the Heike War
Japanese author(s) unknown
Translated by P.G. O'Neill

Jizo: Protectors of Children and Travelers

Cherry Blossom Sakura Sushi

Buds flash red, a stone lantern stands serene; both coexist in a Japanese garden.

Togoshi (Tokyo, Japan) Tea Shop Owner
(She's been in business for over 60 years.)

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

Precious angels waiting for their train.

Daruma, Good Luck Dolls:
Typically one eye is drawn in while making a wish.
When it comes true, the other eye is drawn in.
When my brother gave his girlfriend a daruma doll, she made a wish...
Today, she's his wife! Guess what her wish was?

Ladies in lovely silk kimonos (and obi belts)
chat between tea ceremony demonstrations.

Handcrafted Emperor and Empress dolls by my friend Nozomi Fujii.

Her exquisite dolls are on display at Kurari in Kamakura.

Daibutsu: The Great Buddha

Thank you to my Australian friend, Joanne of What's on the List for the invitation to share The Ninja Baker's Best of Japan at the No Rules Party!

Wishing you travels which touch your heart.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Double Chocolate Matcha (Green Tea) Cheesecake Minis for Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen

NinjaBaker — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:38:09 +0000

Bobbi has stepped away from her Kozy Kitchen at the moment and has invited this Ninja Baker to fill in for today. I am thrilled! Guest blogging for Bobbi is a complete honor. I’ve got some Ninja moves in the kitchen but Bobbi’s samurai spirit and culinary craftsmanship are stratospheric.

Bobbi has battled cancer among other health challenges and emerged victorious. Casting the past aside, she perseveres and presents readers with upbeat posts and do-able, delicious recipes.

The Ninja Baker's Matcha Cheesecake Mini:
The recipe is currently appearing at Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen.

In ancient Japan, samurai would sip matcha green tea before battle. To pay tribute to Bobbi’s samurai-ness, I’ve baked up a dozen Double Chocolate Matcha (Green Tea) Cheesecake Minis. For the recipe, please visit Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen.

Wishing you samurai strength to overcome any and all obstacles.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

chocolate

matcha green tea

cheesecake recipe

Gluten-Free Mini Matcha Santas for the #SundaySupper #HolidayCookieExchange

NinjaBaker — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:40:41 +0000

Happy Christmas! 'Tis the season for cookie exchange parties.
Here's my Gluten-Free Matcha Men contribution to the #SundaySupper #HolidayCookieExchange at Twitter on Sunday, 09 December at 7 p.m. ET in the USA.

Do you like sugar cookies and matcha green tea?
These Mini Gluten-Free Matcha Men are sure to bring on the joy of the season!

Gluten-Free Matcha Men

Based on Jill Saunders’ The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Ever from AllRecipes.com

Makes approximately 5 dozen mini matcha green tea men.

Ingredients:

¾ cup butter, softened
1 cup organic cane sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups superfine brown rice flour
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ amaranth flour
1 ½ tablespoons matcha green tea powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
One bag of white chocolate chips

Instructions:

In a mixer, cream butter and sugar together until just combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla.

Slowly pour the flours, green tea and baking powders and salt into the mixing bowl.

Sprinkle a bit of coconut flour on top of the mixture. Divide the dough in half, shaping into ball-shaped discs.

Between two pieces of wax paper (also floured) roll out one of the discs. Repeat the process with the ball remaining in the bowl.

Chill both flattened discs in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Overnight is best.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator and thaw for five to ten minutes. Cut out mini green matcha men using a mini gingerbread man cookie cutter. Carefully transfer to parchment lined cookie sheets. Place the cookie sheets with the matcha men into the refrigerator for at least an hour. (This will avoid cookie expansion and allow the men to keep their petite shapes.)

In a preheated 400 degree oven, bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Place on the cooling sheets. Immediately place a white chocolate chip onto each matcha man’s head for a faux Santa cap.

Here are a few more winning recipes from stellar #SundaySupper blogger/bakers participating in the #HolidayCookieExchange.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies by Cravings of a Lunatic
#glutenfree Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Cooking Underwriter
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies by The Food Army Wife
M & M Cookies by Damn Delicious
Snowball Cookies by Small Wallet Big Appetite
Mocha Thumbprint Cookies by The Meltaways
Cardamom-Walnut Cookies by Home Cooking Memories
Polish Chrusciki (Bow Ties) by Comfy Cuisine
Cherry Blossom Cookies by Flour on my Face
Rosettes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Millionaire’s Shortbread by Gotta Get Baked
Double-the-Mint Chocolate Kiss Cookies by The Weekend Gourmet
Whole Wheat Cereal Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Chocolate Dipped Potato Chip Shortbread Cookies by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Scories De Vulcan | Lava Stones Cookies by The Daily Dish Recipes
Zimtsterne {Cinamon Stars} #Dairyfree by Galactosemia in PDX
S’mores Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
Chocolate Whoppers by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Ricotta Cookies with White Chocolate Glaze by Country Girl in the Village
Turtles by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies! by I Run For Wine
Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee Cookies by The Urban Mrs.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
Amaretto Almond Biscotti by Noshing With The Nolands
Mexican Chocolate Cookies by Generation Y Foodie
Double Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
Ice Cream Kolaczki by Cookistry
Amoniaczki by What Smells So Good?
Fruit and Nut Ice Box Cookies by In the Kitchen with Audrey
Ginger Bourbon Balls by girlichef
Candy Cane Blossom Cookies by Mommas Meals
Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Lovely Pantry
Ninja Bread Men by Diabetic Foodie
Peppermint Sugar Cookies by In The Kitchen With KP
Christmas Crunchies by Magnolia Days
Cream Cheese Swirled Red Velvet Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen
Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies and Tips on Mailing Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
Congo Bars by Supper for a Steal
Mint Surprise Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies by Midlife Road Trip
Spiced Rum Balls by Webicurean
Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars by Shockingly Delicious
Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Baker Street
Biscoff Pillow Cookies by The Messy Baker Blog
Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies by Juanita’s Cocina
Raspberry Thumbprints for my first #SundaySupper! by Kelly Bakes
Tea Biscuits by My Cute Bride
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by Mama Mommy Mom
Lebanese Butter Cookies for the Christmas Season by The Catholic Foodie
Almond Joy Macaroons by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Gluten Free Coconut Fruit Nut Cookies by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Snowball Surprises by Family Foodie

Wishing you a circle of friends to share and enjoy this joyous season.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker's recipes are also available at:

?Allrecipes.com:
The Ninja Baker's Japanese Plum Sweet Memories and Recipes

Bob's Red Mill

Wholesome Sweeteners:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Coconut Chocolate Cheesecake Minis with Espresso Cream

Wholesome Sweeteners:
The Ninja Baker's Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Champagne Glaze & Optional Lemon Peach Marmalade Filling

?LifeKraze

Tags:

Japanese cookies

matcha green tea

recipes

#SundaySupper #HolidayCookieExchange