Have you tried Green Tea Tsukudani or Cha-novese made from used green tea leaves? If not, enjoy your tea time first, and then turn those tea leaves into delicious dishes.
Cha-novese: Genovese-Style Green Tea Pesto
Here are some Christmas appetizers made with them. In fact, their beautiful green color makes them perfect for the holiday season!
- Christmas Bruschetta Wreath with Cha-novese
- Christmas Tree Canapes with Green tea Tsukudani
Both recipes are easy to make, and the best part is that everything can be prepared ahead of time.
Christmas Bruschetta Wreath Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
- 1/2 cup Cha-novese
- 1 baquette, sliced
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- 50g cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- Salt and pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh kitchen herbs, to taste
Instructions
- Bake the baguette slices until lightly toasted.
- Spread Cha-novese on each slice and arrange them in a circle on a plate to create a wreath shape.
- Top with diced tomatoes and cubed cream cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh herbs.
Christmas Tree Canapes Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
- 1/4 cup Green tea Tsukudani
- 150g hard cheese
- 20-25 crackers
- 1-2 teaspoons pink peppercorns
Instructions
- Cut the cheese into Christmas tree shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Place the cheese on the crackers, then add a small spoonful of Green tea Tsukudani on top.
- Sprinkle with pink peppercorns to finish.
TIps:
- Fukamushi cha (deep-steamed green tea) works best for Tsukudani in this recipe, as the finely broken down leaves are easy to place on small crackers.
- Choose a firm, hard cheese so it's easy to cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
Wishing you a fun and delicious holiday season!
Happy Holidays!
Today's Recommendations
Steamed longer than regular green tea, fukamushicha (deep-steamed green tea) has less bitterness and a smooth, mellow flavor. The finely broken leaves make it easy to use on small crackers.
Why not enjoy a cup of deep-steamed green tea first, then use the leaves to make these appetizers?
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