Japanese Green Tea Matcha Cream Topped Vegan Waffles, #SundaySupper

What tricks were used to cajole you into eating carrots as a child? As children, my sister and I traveled from Tokyo to Spain. Our superstar tennis mom was playing in a tournament. (As was Arthur Ashe who I was lucky enough to meet!) Mom needed to practice to win the big purse. So, my sister, Karen, took charge of meals and other caretaking duties. At one dinner, Karen promised me that if I ate all the carrots off my salad, my straight hair would turn curly overnight. AND I could have dessert. Such a deal! The carrots disappeared quickly…as did the dessert. 

 

Next morning, I uncharacteristically jumped out of bed. My heart sang a joyous pitter-patter. I was about to see curly hair on my head! The mirror had disappointing news. Not a single strand was curly. The carrots did not turn the flat hair into pretty ringlets. My cheeks flushed hot as I reeled on my giggling sister. “You told me if I ate my carrots, my hair would be curly!!!”

Maintaining her motherly calm, my sister, replied something like, “Maybe you need to eat more carrots.”

Years later, I flew from Tokyo to LA to study at UCLA. Karen had been living in Southern California for a while. She was savvy about living in America. I was still homesick for Japan. But, Karen introduced me to a gorgeous carrot cake filled with luxurious cream cheese frosting. Bites into the carrot cake may have swayed my thoughts about America.

Today, I am a confirmed carrot fan. Fellow Southern Californians who do not generally look kindly upon sugar have also indoctrinated me. (Like my husband.) If I want to treat my husband, the dish or dessert needs to be healthy. Personally, I have a penchant for the sweet stuff. To quote Mary Poppins, “A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down.”

Enter the solution to securing marital bliss: Vegan Carrot Waffles crowned with Japanese Matcha Green Tea Coconut Cream. (Adapted from the Love & Lemons Cookbook.) The waffle batter is kissed with a bit of maple syrup. (Yes, I added an extra tablespoon.) But the sweetness of the wholesome spelt waffles comes from the carrots. Thank you big sister, Karen, for selling me on the benefits of carrots! 

As for the Japanese Matcha Green Tea Coconut Cream, I won’t lie. It’s not quite whipped cream. But it is pretty darn yummy. There is still the luxurious creamy feel..It’s just not sweetened whipped cream. Also, if matcha green tea is too bitter for you, increase the powdered sugar (tee hee) or simply omit the Japanese tea powder.

Ninja Note: A spectacular alternative to Matcha Green Tea Coconut Cream is Japanese Matcha Ice Cream!

Vegan Carrot Waffles Crowned with Japanese Green Tea Matcha Cream

#vegan #waffles #Japanese #matcha #coconutcream

Adapted from the Love & Lemons cookbook, this vegan carrot waffle recipe is packed with healthy ingredients.  And is amazingly delicious. Carrots and a soupcon of maple syrup sweeten the wholesome spelt (wheat) flour batter. (It’s the waffle version of fresh baked whole grain bread.)

Vegan Carrot Waffles Crowned with Japanese Green Tea Matcha Cream are a win-win for families who love super-delicious desserts and are super-conscientious about health. (Japanese green tea has long been touted as an anti-cancer fighting agent. Coconut cream is famous for it's virus fighting capabilities.)

Ingredients: 

For the vegan waffles:

Yields 4 large round waffles

  • 2 cups spelt flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 generous cup of grated carrots
  • ¾ cup of organic dried cherries
  • 2 cups almond milk
  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • Pinch of sea salt

For the Japanese Green Tea Matcha Coconut Cream:

  • 2 (14-ounce) cans thick coconut cream
  • ½ cup sifted powdered sugar
  • 2½ tablespoons Japanese green tea matcha powder
Directions: 

For the vegan waffles:

Per manufacturer preheat your waffle maker.

Whisk together the spelt flour, baking powder, flaxseed, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the carrots, cherries, almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla and maple syrup. Add the mixture to the spelt flour bowl. Stir until incorporated.

Pour enough batter onto the hot waffle iron. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes.

Serve with Japanese Green Tea Matcha Coconut Cream or Green Tea Matcha Ice Cream...
Garnish with a tiny, tiny scattering of green sugar sprinkles. 

For the Japanese Green Tea Matcha Coconut Cream:

Refrigerate the coconut cream overnight upside down. Drain the coconut water and place the thick cream into a bowl. Whip up the coconut cream until fluffy. (About 3 minutes.)

Whisk the powdered sugar and matcha together. Beat into the coconut cream.
 

June 29 is National Waffle Iron Day. You’ll be well prepared thanks to Sue Lau of A Palatable Pastime. She’s put together a menu of spectacular sweet and savory waffles for tonight’s Sunday Supper. (Please scroll down for details on how you can join the fun.)

Sweet and Sinful:

Savory Brinner Winners:

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement

Wishing you a week of no waffling on your dreams!

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

 

 

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Tags: 
#vegan #waffles #coconutcream #Japanese #matcha #greentea