Good evening dear readers. Sorry for the long pause again. It’s the holidays and I try and take this opportunity to spend a bit more time with the Mr and explore a little more of Melbourne. So watch this space to see what I’ve been up to in the post to come! (:
I’m not sure about you guys, but I do go through flavour phases and one of which is matcha! So much so that we even held a matcha party to celebrate the endless uses of this brilliant ingredient that is so full of antioxidant! What could be better yes? Here is a recap of the spread we had that day! Be warn, you might crave for some dessert after this!
This was a beautiful bowl of matchamisu by Winston. Layers of matcha sponge with azuki beans, delicious!
This smooth and velvety panna cotta by Duy and Andrew with matcha shortbread! Hungry yet? hehe
The talented Thanh made matcha chiffon cake! (: I’ve yet to have the courage to make my first chiffon. Hopefully soon!
These my dear readers are the perfect matcha macarons by Eat Play Shop!! Look at how amazing they look? Spot on with the feet, texture and flavours! She’s definitely the macaron master! hehe STUNNING!
I know these are not matcha, but I think it’s too pretty not to put it up! Lemon lime macarons! Mmmmm! A work of art I tell you!
As if 2 macarons weren’t enough work, she also made some matcha cream puffs which I was addicted to! Couldn’t stop at one!
When I saw these, I had to remain calm and composed haha matcha kitkat by Agnes!! OMG. They were so so good!!! It’s so difficult to get hold of the commercial packed ones, I was lucky enough to try one cause Daisy gave me some and totally addicted to them! I sneaked some home too! hehe
Talking about Daisy, the sweet queen made two matcha cakes! These are matcha madeleines and she also made matcha brownies that were so gooey in the middle and an intense matcha flavour! SO SO YUM!
This was a hot favourite of the day, made by the ever so talented Ms Ihua, and you can see why. How pretty is this gateau??? Every layer just went perfectly with each other and the base was my favourite! Matcha-pistachio feuilletine white chocolate base, how can anyone not like that? Gorgeous!
This is what I call edible art! The artistic Zeboy’s interpretation of a fruit salad is just amazing! Sous vide and bruleed pineapple, watermelon, smoked cream with matcha and sour plum powder! He plated it on the spot and every one just went ooh-and-aah! These two lovebirds are seriously the dynamic duo! Super talented!
I too made two matcha cakes, this is the matcha swirl pound cake which was really buttery! I actually made this as a back-up in case my matcha swiss roll didn’t work out well. hehe But I decided to bring it to the party as well, or else I would be gobbling it all up on my own and that wouldn’t be very good for my waist line! haha Share the calories I say, sharing is caring right? hehe
And here’s presenting my first ever swiss roll! hehe Matcha swiss roll with azuki beans cream! I have to say, I was super worried with how this would turn out cause you won’t know till you unwrap it the day after and slice it to see the inside! Although the cream wasn’t evenly spread, but I let out a sigh of relieve after I sliced it and it stayed in shape!
I have to admit though, I totally wrecked my first try, so I had to make it again and thankfully they turned out alright! (: So don’t ever give up ; always try and try again! It is definitely worth it! hehe
Matcha Swiss Roll with Azuki Cream (adapted from Cooking With Dog)
Ingredients :
4 Egg Whites
40g Sugar
4 Egg Yolks
40g Sugar
40g Cake Flour
1 tbsp Matcha powder
120ml Whipping Cream
120g Azuki Bean Paste with whole beans
Powdered Sugar, for garnish
Steps :
1) Preheat the oven to 170 degrees celcius. Cover a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
2) Mix the cake flour and matcha powder together and sift it three times. Do not skip this step as this will ensure no air pockets, clumps and keep the cake light.
3) In a clean and dry bowl, beat the egg whites until bubbles form. Slowly add half of the sugar and beat it. Add the rest of the sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
4) In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until thick and creamy. Then add the sifted flour into the bowl. Using a balloon whisk, mix until the flour is completely moistened. Add 1/3 of the meringue into the bowl and beat the mixture with the whisk and drop it into the bowl. When combined, add the rest of the meringue in two steps. Mix the mixture carefully, not to break the foam. The batter will get glossy and smooth. Be patient!
5) Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and using a spatula, spread the batter evenly throughout the tray and to all four corners. Bake the cake in the oven for 18 -20 mins, turning the cake after the 10 mins mark so that it is baked evenly.
6) Take the cake out of the oven and drop it a few times to reduce the shrinkage. Remove the cake for the baking tray and place it on a flat surface. Cover it with another baking tray to make sure it doesn’t dry out. Allow it to cool completely before filling it with the azuki bean cream.
7) To make the azuki bean cream : Whip the cream till stiff peaks and add the azuki cream paste. Mix it evenly to make azuki bean cream.
8) Release the edges of the baking paper of the cake. Cover the cake with another sheet of baking paper, and flip it over. Slowy and gently remove the baking paper from the bottom of the cake. Place the paper on the bottom again and flip it back, in the upright position. Using a serrated knife, cute of the short edge furthest away from you with a diagonal cut.
9) Place the azuki cream onto the cake and using a spatula spread it out evenly, having a slightly thicker amount on the side closer to you. Fold the edge of the cake, pushing the paper forward, rolling the cake. Once rolled, wrap the cake with the clean sheet of baking paper, making sure it’s tightly wrapped. Cover with a plastic wrap and allow it to cool in the fridge.
10) To serve, unwrap the cake and place it on a long plate. Sift some icing sugar on top of the cake and slice it to the thickness of your liking. ENJOY!
I know it seems a little complicated to roll it, but do click on the link above (next to the title) to watch the video and it would be much clearer after!
Remember to always cook and bake with love! xx
Wow matcha heaven! Wish I was at that party! haha where do you buy your matcha powder and bean paste from? Because I have been looking around Sydney for matcha powder and cannot find it anywhere!
I think you can get matcha powder at some asian supermarkets? I got mine from Kenkotea (online), but I also got it from asian supermarkets before! Sometimes it’s behind the counter so you’ve gotta hunt for it! hehe The azuki bean paste I got from a japanese store! (:
Thank you! I have been to a few Asian supermarkets but they didn’t supply it so I will order it online! I’m on a mission to get some- your Matcha roll looks delicious 🙂
hehe thank you! (: I hope you get it soon! Online would be the most convenient way to get hold of some! hehe
Ahhh can I please get an invite another time #noshame! Alllll the sweets look amazing!
Congrats on your first Swiss roll! it’s so neat! as much as I love baking, I’m not neat at things like that and I’ll make a huge mess and get very frustrated!
hehe of course you can!!! Will let you know when there is a next themed party!! hehe (: Thank you! I am very anal with what I make hahaha If you can’t already tell 😛
amazing matcha party and lovely matcha swiss roll! i always fail at rolling it!
Thanks babe! hehe it was a party filled with matcha desserts and also savoury food! AMAZING! hehe I was really worried about failing too, which was why i had a back up butter cake haha Thank goodness it turned out ok! (:
Good job on your 1st swiss roll!
Now I’m itch to back swiss roll again after seeing yours!
Thanks babe! (: Yours was perfect!! I am still envious of your swiss roll! You should definitely make it again! hehe x
Wow, if only I could reach into the screen to eat some of the stuff you photographed lol! Giraffe Cafe (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Giraffe-Cafe/142113049181630) is one of my regular hangouts, but its taken me *this* long to discover they have Green Tea Tiramisu! Maybe you should stop by for some next time 😉 haha (also, I found the presentation of their tiramisu to be super cute – reminded me of a rabbit lol)
oooo! never dined at Giraffe cafe before! Now I must try and head down one weekend! hehe Thank you for sharing! (:
i’ve always hated green tea, but it’s only recently that i discovered that it’s the bottled jasmine green tea that i can’t stand, and that i actually like the taste of matcha! all the goodies look so gooooooddddd!
hehe Phew! Welcome to the matcha-loving club! hehe The bottled green tea tastes nothing like the real stuff! hehe Loving your new blog btw!!! x
YAY you finally blogged the recipe it was an amazing swiss roll so moist and fluffy loved the azuki bean filling too! Need to get over my fear and try making this hehe what an amazing part 🙂 you know me I love anything green and anything matcha!!
hehe sorry I took so long! (: It was an amazing party and I’m so glad my swiss roll turned out well! hehe and yes, the party was perfect for you cos you do love your matcha!!! xx
Love your themed parties with fellow food bloggers. Sounds like you’re so closely knit – it’s so cute! Love your roll.. the cross section looks so amazing!
hehe yes! I am so lucky to have this group of people in Melbourne who we can share our love for food together! (: It’s an amazing bunch! hehe
Thank you! I’m sure you can make this too! hehe x
the roll looks divine! I wish I could taste it guess i gotta make my own 🙂
hehe Will make it again and give you some!! x
mine too? lol
hahaha how to pass to you?
express post! =D lol
It was such an ace party I’m so glad I was invited and got to attend! Your Swiss roll was gorgeous in looks and taste, I brought some home and my kidlets loved it! So nice to finally meet you in person there, many more parties to come!
Macaron master!! (: Was so glad to see you in person at last and so honoured to taste those gorgeous macarons of yours! hehe Can’t wait till the next party!! xx
All the desserts look amazing, definitely craving sweets after seeing those pic!
hehe it is a dessert pic heavy post! I don’t blame you, I was craving for some while typing up the blog! hehe x