Matcha, matcha man and as age creeps by…
Matcha pannacotta
Wake up, look at the alarm. Damn, it’s only 3 am… Too early… Go back to sleep. Wake up, look at the alarm… Hmmm, 5.30 am. That is late enough, isn’t it? I would jump out of my bed and run excited to my parents bedroom. Screaming something like ‘It’s my birthday, it’s my birthday!’ The tradition was that we would all go and sit on my parents bed (we actually all fell through the bed at one such occasion. Apparently the bed was not build for 6 people) and that’s when we would get presents. And let’s face it; birthday = presents, right?
Usually my parents – knowing us all too well – would give us a strict timeline. Do NOT wake us up before 6 am! But excitement and enthusiasm usually got the better of us so we would always be waaaay too early. Claiming we hadn’t seen that it was only 5.30! So my birthday was always fun and I loved it. Loved being the centre of attention. I’m not really sure when that all changed but I do think it was pretty early on. By the time I was 15 or 16, I no longer thought that birthdays were fun. O yes, the getting presents was fun, but I happened to have friends who did not get along together very well, so what was the point of celebrating when I could only invite one half of my friends?
Happy birthday girl at 4!
These days, birthdays are well, just another year older, really… Getting close to my fifties is somewhat daunting I have to confess. In case you were wondering, today is my 49th birthday. I sometimes still feel that there must be some kind of mistake made. That I wasn’t born in 1963 but rather much later. I don’t feel 49 (of course I have no way of knowing how one is supposed to feel at 49!) and I’m frquently being told that I don’t look 49 either. (I’ve had to show some sort of ID a few times to actually proof that I was that old..lol) But the truth is, that I am and o well, I do feel my age too from time to time.
When I’ve had a really busy day I can feel my bones and muscles protesting (doing a little more sports would help!) but overall, I think I cannot complain. Today is going to be a typical birthday for me; hiding in plain sight for friends and family… 
We never have a party and if we can, we try and get out of the country to celebrate somewhere else. Or we go out for a nice dinner. Just the two of us and sometimes with a few friends, but that’s it. Enough party for me!
Now on to the subject of matcha. I’d had seen matcha featured in many blogposts over the years but I’d never managed to actually find that elusive green powder and when I finally found a source for it, it turned out they ran out of it, the time I was there to get it. Luck was not on my side. I probably have looked in the wrong placed to, but that’s a whole other subject.
Matcha
I mentioned something on a blog post and sweet Kate from Serendipity send me an email asking if she could send me some of the matcha? I was delighted she would take the trouble to send it to me and a few days later I had two packages of matcha in my mailbox. One was bright green and from Japan, the other was a much duller color and apparently from Belgium. Interesting how those two would react!
Now ofcourse I wanted to make something that would highlight that fantastic green, so my first thought was to make a matcha pannacotta. I had found just the recipe for it, so I set about it. Having made a zillion pannacotta’s before I didn’t think much about it, poured the finished product into the molds and into the fridge.
But then something interesting happened; the substance split. I’ve never had this happen before and while the pannacotta’s are still delicious and if turned over they still hold their shape, it’s interesting to know why this happened.
Holding it’s shape but barely
I used double cream and milk for this… You can read what I’ve done in the recipe below. If you’ve got any thoughts on why the mixture split, please let me know! I have a feeling that it wasn’t warm enough as you can still see the little powder dots everywhere which I think is not what’s supposed to happen…
Matcha pannacotta
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: cooling time 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs and 20 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons matcha powder
- 2 cups double cream
- 1 1/4 cup full fat milk
- 1 vanilla pod
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3,5 sheets gelatin (or 2 tbsp dried)
Directions:
| Put the double cream, milk, seeds of the vanilla bean and sugar in a small saucepan and heat until close to boiling but not actually boiling. Take of the heat. Soak your gelatin leaves in cold water for 5 minutes. | |
| Put the matcha into a cup and add one cup of the hot mixture slowly into the powder while vigorously whisking. Once combined add the matcha mixture into the cream mixture. | |
| Add the soaked gelatin (squeeze out the moisture) into the warm cream and whisk until dissolved. Pour the cream into your ramekins, glasses or other molds. Leave to stand in the fridge for at least 4 hours before unmolding. For unmolding you can dip the ramekins into hot water (making sure the water does not get into your molds ofcourse) for a few seconds and then turn them onto a plate and lift the mold. |
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Recipe from the book pannacotta by Camilla Saulsbury
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
Happy birthday gorgeous Simone. I would say ‘fabulous at fifty’ is right around the corner for you my dear and yes, you look soooo much younger than your supposed real age. I thought you were the same age as me and I have yet to turn forty! I love the colours of the Matcha. … I have never used it so cannot help you out on the splitting but I would eat it regardless… It looks very appetising x
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 19:03
Thanks dear Mona… Yes only just a tiny bit away from fabulous at fifty.. although my sweet baby sister decided to send me a postcard congratulating me on my fiftieth living year, which technically this is the start of my fiftieth year.. I thought it was just a cruel reminder..lol…
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Happy Birthday, Simone! Hope you’ll have a wonderful day. Yes, where does time go? I still feel 16 at heart, but I’m more than twice that age… Ageing is a strange process as while our bodies get older, our soul stays young.
You look very cute on that picture!
A wonderful dessert! Refined and divine.
Cheers,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 19:02
We should all forever be 16 but then with the knowledge we get at a later age..
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Happy birthday!!! Hope you have a very fabulous day!
I have no clue with the pannacotta split but I do think they look very pretty nonetheless!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 19:01
Thanks Joey! And yes they were tasty too!
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Happy birthday … Gorgeous.
Don’t count the candles… We will always be and feel ‘young’ at heart
If you were to serve me this… I’d scoop to the last bit… n still clueless that it split… LOL
Lovely color n photos
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 19:01
Thanks Lisa! I guess it’s the heart that counts! And we should forget about the numbers!
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First of all Happy Birthday! XD hope u celebrated well.
ur soo lucky, I am looking for matcha since ever. I totaly adore panacota and I can imagine how yummy its must be made of matcha! I realy hope to get some soon, if I do I ll try your recipe. thanks a lot for sharing!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 19:00
Still celebrating..;) I found matcha now online too so I think you should be able to buy some. Not cheap I found out!
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HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARLING SIMONE! I won’t mention that I am older than you are or that you are fabulous no matter your age. I’ll only say that I wish I could come to your party and that I hope this day is filled with joy and happiness! And it is so funny about the panna cotta separating! When I first saw the photo I thought they were so gorgeous and I wondered how you did the layers! I have to try these! Beautiful! Now go make yourself a chocolate cake! xo
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 18:59
Thanks so much dear Jamie! And I know that your just a teensy bit older then I am… You’ve reached the magic number that I have to wait for for another year. lol.. Ooo chocolate cake… Nooo chocolate cake today!
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Veels geluk lieflike dame!!
) Hope you have a delicious year ahead – and how thrilling to have to produce ID to convince people of your age! Love it. Also love the shot of the matcha in the spoon – beautiful. Love the panacotta too, split or not!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 18:58
It’s quite funky isn’t it? I shouldn’t have said anything and everyone would have thought that I magically created beautiful little layers in the pannacotta. It didn’t diminish anything of the taste so I guess it’s not a big deal anyway!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sweet Simone! You most definitely do not look anywhere near 50, but then again, who said 50 is old? Nowadays, with people living to their 90′s, and all kinds of cosmetic procedures, I couldn’t tell a 50 yr old from a 30 yr old lol You look beautiful and have such a young, vibrant spirit, which is why you will always look 30
Love the photo of you as a child, and I do agree, birthdays until 21 (at least for me) were always exciting and I couldn’t wait for them. Now – not so much lol Love the matcha pannacotta, and what a sweet gesture by Kate to send you some! Hope your special day has brought you you much love, happiness, and everything you desire! *hugs*
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 18:33
Shhh… you repeated the 5 word a few times Lisa!
Lol… Well it SOUNDS incredibly old, I think that’s more of my problem I guess.. And yes I’m having a lovely day sofar!
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Really amazing photos, I think the quality of them brings an element to the post that make it just perfect. I take it a happy birth day is in order as well:) The food looks amazing.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 18:31
Thanks Brian!
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First, happy birthday, Simone!
Trying to make up for the lost childhood years. And I do love presents too. I see birthdays as a chance to get together with friends–everyone is so busy that only a birthday party manages to get everyone together in one space at one time– and then we eat good food and drink wine and cockatails.
I didn’t have many birthday parties as a kid (maybe 3 total) — maybe this is why I still like to celebrate it
As for matcha, I never heard of it.
A photography question: How did you make that matcha in the spoon pop out this way? Thanks!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 18:18
Thanks so much Nurit… I love getting together with friends to but I think I’m more suited for smaller gatherings with little groups of friends then large celebrations. Which is funny as Tom is all for big parties and I’m more for small and intimate.. And I love to do little dinner parties in the summer where we can all sit outside and have fun…
Matcha is a powdered Japanese green tea with a very distinct flavor and gorgeous color. It’s supposed to be really healthy too but it’s the color I fell for. As for the matcha in the spoon; it’s mostly the powder’s natural prettyness I think that did the trick. I lighted it with daylight from the side and didn’t use a reflector on purpose to have a little more shadow as I thought that made it ‘work’ better.
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Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food. — February 16th, 2012 at 19:52
Thanks!
Happy Birthday, Young Lady! I can safely say that, because I am considerably older than 49…. Who cares about age? You are as old as you feel.
I think the Matcha Pannacotta looks stunning. You should just have pretended that the separate layers were an intentional feature. I have never tried matcha; I wonder what it tastes like. Is it anything like green tea?
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 10th, 2012 at 12:28
Hmm how to describe the flavor? Yes it is a lot like green tea but more intense. It’s not as if you’re drinking a cup of green tea but the flavor is definitely there. I loved it but I can also see how there would be people who don’t like it. And you’re right, I should have pretended this is how it was supposed to be! lol… And you’re right again in who cares about age?
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Absolutely gorgeous; I’m a devoted fan of matcha. Happy Birthday ~ you have a beautiful blog…
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 10th, 2012 at 12:55
Thanks so much Kelly!
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Happy Birthday!!! Ooohh! Your birthday is so close to mine!! hehe.. I love matcha a lot! The possibilities with matcha is just ENDLESS! Hope you had a great birthday!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 10th, 2012 at 12:59
Thanks Sammie! Yes I had a lot of fun (and I can tell you had fun too… lol)
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I am a huge fan of matcha and that panna cotta looks so good!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 10th, 2012 at 13:00
Thanks Kevin! Yes I’m a new matcha addict!
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Happy b’day Simone! All the best for your special day. I love that you used the matcha to make panna cotta. Take care sweetie!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 12th, 2012 at 18:12
Thanks so much Peter..
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Happy Birthday Simon! That photo is so cute
You have a fantastic day. I never had matcha and I should really try out sometime.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 12th, 2012 at 18:12
Thank you! I do love the flavor of matcha.. It’s really special!
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Happy Bithday, dear Simone! Yeah to you! I wouldn’t have guessed that you were 49!! I thought you would be my age: 35 or 36!
I love matcha powder a lot & your panna cotta is looking so appetizing too!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 12th, 2012 at 18:13
O you’re too sweet Sophie! I wish I was still that young..
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Hi Simone,
How did you get the 3 different layers in the matcha pannacotta?
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 12th, 2012 at 18:14
Hi Ady, Well if you read the post then you will see that I have no clue..lol.. It happened by accident really and I’m sure I will not be able to reproduce it if I tried!
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I have never tried Matcha before. I ordered some a while back and got it, and then never could find it anywhere…weird, I know. So I don’t know why your panna cotta split, but it does look rather pretty!
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Well, split or not, this is by far the prettiest and yummiest looking matcha pannacotta that has ever been posted on the Net. My goodness does it look good. I wish I could recreate this recipe exactly as is. And you know what? Maybe I will… maybe I will. Hey, a gir’s gotta have a treat once in a while, and this is very worthy of a little “cheat”.
I will, however, definitely work on a healthy version of this baby. It looks way too good to pass!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 17th, 2012 at 17:03
Lol… I’m sure I can leave it up to you to make a healthy version of this! Looking forward to seeing it appear!
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Panna cotta can split if the mixture goes over scalding point. Also some said if you pour the mixture in before it cools done enough it will split too…. Not sure if any of this applies to your situation but I actually thought you intentionally made different layers! Bookmarked this to make it soon.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 27th, 2012 at 21:23
Thanks Kelly! I don’t think it went over scalding. If anything I was more concerned I didn’t let it get hot enough. But then again I don’t really remember..
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I know this is late, but Matcha is a finely ground green tea served at Japanese Tea Ceremonies . When preparing it will sometimes be forced though a fine mesh sieve to get rid of the clumps. It is then added to hot water in a tea bowl and stirred briskly with a bamboo whisk. It probably just needed to be stirred more and that is why it separated. The pannacotta does look lovely the way it is though
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Simone (junglefrog) — May 4th, 2012 at 08:04
Thanks so much for the tip Jen. I think you might very well be right. I will be sure to stir a little bit more for next time!
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