Yes Chef: Um, waiter, there’s a dragon in my soup!

While searching for ways I can incorporate tea into my cooking, I came across a recipe that called for green tea along with a number of other ingredients that were right up my alley. I knew I had to try out the recipe when I found myself drooling over the sexy pictures! It’s not called food porn for nothing!

I made a few adjustments to the recipe as I thought best, so feel free to do the same. I used Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, but you may use another green tea if you wish. Sencha might be a good one to try. Of course, you can use tea bags instead of loose leaf.

What's required.

Ingredients:

Broth

• 5 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon of minced ginger
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups of brewed green tea
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce 

Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets 150 grams each
• 4 cloves minced garlic 
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger

Other Items

• 2 cups brown rice
• 4 cups of brewed green tea for the rice
• 1 cup shelled edamame
• Chopped scallions
• Hot sauce to taste

Process:

1.    Using the green tea liquor, cook the rice according to package. Rice to liquid ratio is 1:2.

2.    Cook the edamame according to package. Boil in water for about 5 minutes.

3.    For the broth, simmer the chicken broth, brewed green tea, minced garlic and ginger, and soy sauce for 15 minutes.

4.    Rub each piece of salmon with garlic and ginger. Wrap in parchment paper and bake at 185°C for 20 - 25 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets.

The rubdown!

It's a wrap!

Assemble your meal:

Place a bed of rice in a bowl, followed by some edamame casually thrown on top, and then a portion of the salmon. Ladle a couple of cups of the broth over the salmon. Sprinkle with chopped scallions, and add a few drops of hot sauce.

     

Some assembly required!

Enjoy your dragon bowl!

The final product!

Forkin' good!

Options:

• Try another fish like trout or a white fish, or even shrimp.

• Use other veggies or go completely vegetarian, and add carrots, celery, red bell peppers, bean sprouts, chopped walnuts etc…use vegetable broth instead.  

• Instead of rice, use noodles.