1. Matcha Tiramisu ????????
A Japanese twist on the classic Italian tiramisu, using matcha instead of cocoa.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup brewed matcha (cooled)
- 12 ladyfinger biscuits
- 2 tbsp matcha powder (for dusting)
- White chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions:
- Whisk mascarpone, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
- Dip ladyfingers quickly in brewed matcha and layer them in a dish.
- Spread mascarpone mixture over the layer, then repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone.
- Dust with matcha powder and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Garnish with white chocolate shavings before serving.
2. Sushi Arancini (Crispy Sushi Rice Balls) ????????
A cross between Japanese sushi and Italian arancini (fried rice balls).
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sushi rice, cooked
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup diced salmon or tuna
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Mix cooked sushi rice with rice vinegar and let cool.
- In a bowl, combine diced fish with soy sauce.
- Take a scoop of rice, place a bit of fish and mozzarella in the center, and shape into a ball.
- Roll each rice ball in beaten egg and coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Fry until golden brown and crispy. Serve with wasabi mayo or soy sauce.
3. Ramen Carbonara ????????
A fusion of Italian carbonara and Japanese ramen.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack fresh ramen noodles
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
- 4 oz pancetta (or bacon), diced
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions:
- Cook ramen noodles and set aside, reserving ¼ cup of cooking water.
- In a pan, cook pancetta until crispy.
- Whisk egg yolks, cheese, black pepper, and soy sauce in a bowl.
- Toss hot ramen noodles with pancetta, then add the egg mixture, stirring quickly to create a creamy sauce.
- Add reserved noodle water if needed. Serve immediately with extra cheese and black pepper.
4. Miso Margherita Pizza ????????
A Margherita pizza with a miso-infused tomato sauce for umami richness.
Ingredients:
- 1 pizza dough
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp white miso paste
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 475°F (250°C).
- Mix tomato sauce with miso paste and spread over pizza dough.
- Add mozzarella slices and bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy.
- Remove from oven, top with basil, and drizzle with olive oil.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of sea salt.
5. Wasabi Pesto Pasta ????????
A spicy, aromatic twist on traditional pesto pasta with wasabi.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz spaghetti or udon noodles
- 1 cup fresh basil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- ½ tsp wasabi paste
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Cook pasta until al dente, reserving ¼ cup pasta water.
- In a blender, combine basil, Parmesan, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, wasabi, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Toss hot pasta with the pesto sauce, adding pasta water if needed.
- Serve with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.