tea recipes

Matcha in a Meal!

Matcha green tea isn’t just for drinking. Did you know that you can infuse this super high antioxidant powder into any recipe? From smoothies, to sauces, dressings and even desserts! It is nice to know that you can get the benefits of this tea in a wholesome and delicious meal.

Here is a simple recipe to get you going.

Matcha Soba Noodles

Ingredients:

1 tsp dried Basil

½ tsp dried rosemary

½ tsp salt

8 oz. Kamut or Buckwheat Soba Noodles

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp gingerroot

¼ cup rice vinegar

¼ toasted sesame oil

3 tbsp tamari

½ teaspoon matcha green tea

1 cup chopped green onions

1 carrot grated

½ cup black sesame seeds

1 cup shelled and cooked edamame

Procedure:

Bring large pot of water to boil, add basil, rosemary and salt.

Add linguine, cook until al dente (8-10 minutes) and drain.

In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, vinegar, sesame oil tamari and matcha powder.

Add warm noodles to sauce and toss to coat.

Stir in carrots, onions and arame.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Chai it on!

One of my favourite warming drinks this time of year is a Chai Tea Latte. Not just any chai latte but nourish tea’s Yummy Chai Blend. This loose leaf tea blend is made up of delicious spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper which are flavours that make up the taste that is uniquely chai. These spices are warming, sweet, and aid with digestion. To make this tea complete I finish it off by pouring in a non-dairy based milk, either rice or almond milk with a touch of sweetness from either honey, agave or maple syrup.

Some facts on Chai!
Chai’s history is over 5000 years old, and can be enjoyed both hot and cold. Some stories say it was invented by a royal king in the ancient courts of India & Siam who protected the recipe as one of his treasures. However, its roots can be traced unmistakably to the Hindu natural healing system called “ayurveda” in which combinations of spices, herbs and sweeteners are used to cure bodily ailments.

“Masala Chai” (“Masala,” meaning a mixture of spices, and “Chai,” meaning a milky, sweetened, tea) which has been created after its counterparts in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet. Knowing that in general, consumers are unfamiliar with Chai, the industry has taken to calling it a “Chai Tea Latte”. Although “chai” may initially have no meaning, when a consumer hears, “Tea Latte” one understands this is a “milky tea” beverage.

Marni’s Chai Latte

1-2 tsp Yummy Chai
2 cups vanilla rice milk or almond milk
1 tbsp honey
pinch of cinnamon

1. In a small pot bring “milk” to a boil. Lower head and add Chai tea. Stir and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Pour through a tea steeper into a large mug.
3. Stir in honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.