**Cherry Blossom: A Culinary Journey Through Japanese Culture and Cuisine**
Cherry blossoms, the iconic symbol of Japan, hold a special place in the hearts of people worldwide. Their delicate beauty and fleeting nature have inspired countless works of art, literature, and music. But did you know that cherry blossoms are also edible? Yes, these delicate flowers can be used to create a variety of delicious dishes, from sweet to savory.
In this article, we will take you on a culinary journey through Japanese culture and cuisine, exploring the many ways cherry blossoms can be enjoyed. From the classic cherry blossom rice cake to the more adventurous cherry blossom tempura, we have something for everyone. So sit back, relax, and let the flavors of spring transport you to the Land of the Rising Sun.
**Recipes Included:**
* Cherry Blossom Rice Cake: A traditional Japanese treat made with glutinous rice, cherry blossom leaves, and sweet red bean paste.
* Cherry Blossom Tempura: A savory dish featuring cherry blossom leaves dipped in batter and fried until crispy.
* Cherry Blossom Tea: A refreshing and fragrant beverage made by steeping cherry blossom leaves in hot water.
* Cherry Blossom Jelly: A delicate and colorful dessert made with cherry blossom extract, agar-agar, and sugar.
* Pickled Cherry Blossoms: A unique and tangy condiment made by preserving cherry blossom flowers in vinegar.
Whether you're a seasoned Japanese food enthusiast or simply looking to try something new, we invite you to explore the delightful flavors of cherry blossoms with our carefully curated recipes. Let the delicate beauty of these ephemeral flowers inspire your culinary creativity and transport you to a world of harmony, balance, and sheer deliciousness.
CHERRY BLOSSOM COOKIES
Simple sugar cookies serve as the canvas for these elegant "cherry blossoms." Use pink royal icing to create the "petals" and brown luster dust to form the "branches."
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes about 16
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Sugar Cookies: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, egg, and brandy and continue beating until well combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, beating until just combined. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 45 minutes and up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use a 2 5/8-inch square cutter to cut out squares. Reroll scraps once (you should have about 16 cookies). Transfer to prepared sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Bake until set and golden around edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool completely.
- Royal Icing: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat egg whites on medium speed until frothy. Reduce speed to low and add confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, increasing speed to medium-high between each addition, until mixture has consistency of shampoo. Add lemon juice. Tint with pink food color until desired shade is reached. Transfer mixture to a shallow bowl. If not using immediately, icing can be stored at room temperature, with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface, up to 2 days, or in refrigerator, well wrapped in plastic, up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before using.
- Working with one cookie at a time, dip cookie top-side down in icing to completely coat surface, allowing excess glaze to drip back into bowl. Invert cookie and clean edges with your finger, if desired. Transfer to a wire rack or baking sheet and let stand at room temperature until completely dry, at least 12 hours and up to overnight. Reserve remaining icing for decorations, at room temperature, with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface, or in refrigerator, well wrapped in plastic. Bring to room temperature before using.
- Stir additional confectioners' sugar into icing until it has consistency of toothpaste. Divide mixture into 3 portions and tint with pink food color until 3 desired shades are reached. Transfer each color to a piping bag fitted with a small plain round or star tip (such as Ateco #2, #3, or #13).
- Place luster dust in a small bowl. Stir in vodka, a little at a time, until mixture has consistency of thick watercolor paint. Using a small food-safe paintbrush, paint a tree branch design on surface of each cookie. Using the 3 shades of pink icing, pipe small blossoms on branches. Let stand at room temperature until completely dry, about 4 hours. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
GREEN TEA PANNA COTTA WITH SWEET ADZUKI SAUCE CHERRY BLOSSOM JAM AND TUILES
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 4h45m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the panna cotta, stir together the green tea and gelatin and set aside briefly. Combine milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in sugar. Heat to boiling and remove from heat. Add vanilla and gelatin/tea mixture and stir until sugar and gelatin are completely dissolved. Pour into the custard cups and refrigerate at least 4 hours until gelatin sets up completely.
- Heat adzuki beans and sugar over medium heat stirring to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool and puree in a blender with canola oil. Strain into a bowl and set aside until needed.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 1 baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and lay rice wrapper squares on mat. Top with another silicone baking mat and a second baking sheet as a weight. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the baking sheet and top silicone mat and allow to further bake until brown, about 3 more minutes. Remove from mat with a thin spatula and allow to cool completely.
- Sift powdered sugar over the tuiles. Spoon some sauce into the center of a dessert plate. Invert the custard from the mold into the center of the sauce. Slide 2 tuiles horizontally into the custard 1 on each side. Top custard with 1 cherry blossom. Serve with hot cherry blossom tea.
CHERRY BLOSSOM LATTE
Make and share this Cherry Blossom Latte recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Outta Here
Categories Beverages
Time 10m
Yield 1 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Pour shots into a 16 oz. cup and add syrups.
- Fill with steamed milk and add foam if wanted.
CHERRY BLOSSOM FUDGE
Make and share this Cherry Blossom Fudge recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Steve P.
Categories Candy
Time 40m
Yield 1 8"x8" Pan
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Butter an 8x8 inch pan.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar and salt.
- Bring to a boil and stir in gelatin.
- Boil 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter, chocolate chips, vanilla and cherries.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Chill 2 hours before serving.
CHERRY BLOSSOM FUDGE
This is so easy and it will disappear fast!
Provided by CONFITUR
Categories Desserts Fruit Dessert Recipes Cherry Dessert Recipes
Time 2h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Butter an 8x8 inch dish.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and stir in gelatin. Boil 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, chocolate chips, vanilla and cherries. Pour into prepared pan. Chill 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400 calories, Carbohydrate 46.6 g, Cholesterol 45.2 mg, Fat 25 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.4 g, Sodium 160.7 mg, Sugar 39.6 g
CHERRY BLOSSOM MUFFINS
Just because you have to curtail cholesterol doesn't mean you can't munch on a muffin! These moist muffins are bursting with pecans and cherry filling.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 30m
Yield 9 muffins.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine egg substitute, orange juice, sugar and oil. Add baking mix; stir for 30 seconds. Fold in pecans. Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners; fill cups one-third full. Top each with 2 teaspoons fruit spread; cover with the remaining batter. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- Choose the right type of cherry blossoms: Some cherry blossom varieties are more suitable for cooking than others. Look for varieties that are edible and have a mild, sweet flavor.
- Harvest the cherry blossoms at the right time: Cherry blossoms are best harvested when they are fully open. This is typically in the spring, around April or May.
- Wash the cherry blossoms thoroughly: Before using cherry blossoms in any recipe, be sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Use cherry blossoms sparingly: Cherry blossoms have a delicate flavor, so it is important to use them sparingly. A little bit goes a long way.
- Experiment with different recipes: There are many different ways to use cherry blossoms in cooking. Try experimenting with different recipes to find the ones that you enjoy the most.
Conclusion:
Cherry blossoms are a beautiful and delicate flower that can be used to add a touch of elegance and springtime charm to any dish. With their mild, sweet flavor, cherry blossoms can be used in a variety of recipes, from salads to desserts. If you are looking for a way to add a unique and flavorful touch to your next meal, consider using cherry blossoms.
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