Matchamisu (Green Tea Tiramisu) Recipe

Matchamisu.

Or some may call, Green Tea Tiramisu. Since, "Matcha" is Japanese for "Green Tea".

I attended a "Matcha Party" a few months ago, which was a potluck with some really awesome blogger friends of mine. Yes. I know, another potluck. Hosted by the wonderful Shellie (the hostess with the mostess), it was a fantastic afternoon with Thanh, I-Hua, Agnes, Michelle, Winnie, Lianne, Daisy, Duy and Andy.

I knew immediately that I wanted to make Matchamisu as soon as I found out what the theme was. Recipe may look tedious because of all the components but I've actually simplified it significantly to make it much easier to do. Plus, you can actually make this a day in advance (which was what I did). Just make sure you put a cling wrap over the top before you place it in the fridge overnight. Oh, and I also decided not to flavour the cream cheese because I wanted it to remain white to help with overall appearance of the dish and distinction of layers.

Suffice to say the afternoon was a huge success. Everyone had such a good time (over)eating, talking and laughing away. Plus, the weather that day was warm and sunny -- beautiful.

Potlucks are really great. If you're not in the habit of hosting/attending one, I recommend that you suggest your next meetup with friends or family to be one. It's always a more relaxed setting (since it's at someone's home), hours go by because it's so comfortable and you can have as big of a group with no dramas (as restaurants can be quite a hassle to accommodate big parties). And, the best part is, eating food cooked by friends and family is ALWAYS way more satisfying than any dish at a restaurant. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to try and make new things. Which, I hope you may find some inspiration from this blog.

Anyway, you can tell how much I love potlucks. Which was also why I actually had potlucks 7 weeks in a row without fail from end of July to early September. No joke. With various different groups of friends as I always suggest having a potluck instead when friends and I are planning catchups =)

Hope you'll try this recipe out!

This can of azuki beans were $8.50! Very expensive because it was imported from Japan but it was worth it

Amazing, AMAZING Green Tea Spread by everyone!!

The savoury table. Also very delicious

Everyone really went all out and everything was exceptional! 

So delicious

Matchamisu (Green Tea Tiramisu) Recipe

(adapted from this recipe by Oh, How Civilised)

Ingredients:

Matcha Sponge Cake
4 eggs (separated)
7 tbsp sugar
90g plain flour
30g corn flour
2 tbsp matcha powder

Matcha Syrup
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tbsp matcha powder

Cream Cheese
500g mascarpone/Philadelphia cream cheese
2/3 cup cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence

Azuki Beans
1 can (520g) Japanese Azuki beans

Garnish
Matcha powder
1 fresh strawberry (sliced)

Method:

For the cake:
1. Preheat oven to 175°C. Scrunch up a large piece of baking paper thoroughly (helps retain shape and position). Line a sheet pan (flat rectangular baking tray) with the baking paper.

2. Whisk the egg whites in a cake mixer on low speed for 1 minutes. Gradually add the sugar. Increase the speed and continue to whisk until stiff peaks formed.

3. Fold the egg yolks into the egg white mixture until well combined.

4. Sift the flour and matcha powder into egg mixture. Pour into sheet pan and spread evenly.

5. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

For the syrup:
1. Bring the water and sugar to a boil.

2. Whisk in matcha powder. Set aside to cool.

For the cream:
1. Beat all ingredients together on high speed until well combined. Set aside. 

TO ASSEMBLE:
1. Using a knife, cut out a round piece of cake approximately the diameter of your glass bowl. 

2. Dip the piece of cake in the syrup on both sides. Place at the bottom of the bowl. Cut a few off cuts if you need to to fill in the gaps and make sure the cake touches the side of the bowl.

3. Spread a thin layer of the azuki beans mixture over the cake layer.

4. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the cake layer.

5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 until for two more times (or until you reach the top of the bowl). Make sure the top is a cream cheese layer.

Tip: Make sure you push each component to the side of the bowl with a spoon so that you can make each layer more visible

6. Place 1 row of chopsticks on the bowl horizontally at 2 cm spacings. Place another row of chopsticks vertically on the first layer of chopsticks at 2cm spacings.

7. Dust the matcha powder over the chopsticks to create a net or honeycomb design.

8. Remove chopsticks and place strawberry in the centre. May be kept overnight in the fridge.

Decorating trick I learned from Junior Masterchef LOL!