Garnished Rice With Green Tea (Ocha-Zuke)

Roosie's Note:

A really interesting use for green tea and a great way to use up leftovers. A classic light meal or snack in Japan. Typically, this is accompanied by an assortment of bright, crisp pickles (not the American kind!). From "At Home with Japanese Cooking" by Elizabeth Andoh.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3 cups cooked rice (leftovers are perfect)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seed
• 1 sheet nori (sheets of seaweed like sushi are typically wrapped in)
• 1 steamed chicken breasts (either are fine or whatever other leftovers you'd like to use) (optional) or 1 slice grilled salmon (either are fine or whatever other leftovers you'd like to use) (optional)
• 2 -3 tablespoons chopped coriander
• ¼ teaspoon wasabi or ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cups green tea (hot and freshly brewed)

Directions:

1. Divide the rice into 4 deep bowls.
2. Dry roast the sesame seeds by stirring them over medium heat in a skillet until golden.
3. You may want to crush them slightly with a mortar once toasted, but this is not completely necessary.
4. Dry roast the nori by waving it back and forth over direct medium heat for about 1 minute (this is typically done just over the flame of a gas stove and I really recommend you use tongs to do this, not just your fingers!) Fold and tear the sheet into 20 small rectangles and place 5 rectangles in each bowl.
5. Add chunks of chicken or salmon if desired.
6. Garnish each portion with corriander and wasabi or ginger.
7. Pour 1/2 cup tea over each bowl and serve immediately.

Reviews

[Romi]

Didn't really like it. It doesn't have much flavor. Maybe it needs some type of seasoning other than the green tea, like salt or bonito.

[Ilysse]

I make this often, comfort food to me. Great for lunch on a cold day. The only things I do differantly is 1. I like to cut the nori into matchstick size strips and sprinkle over the top. 2. I have never used corriander but will next time. 3. Sometimes I will steam the salmon with the rice (as is done in Japan)or when doing this for lunch thoes new tuna steaks they sell now in a pouch are nice (a little dry but good for a quick lunch). If available sushimi is a nice topper too. 4. Sometimes I will use a flavored green tea. Mandarin orange flavored is nice with a pice of fish that was steamed with mandarin oringe slices, for example. I do this often with leftover sushi rice or will usually make extra Jasmine rice (my fave) at dinner time for lunch the next day.