Cooking With Green Tea

* Note: To steep green tea properly, you must first warm the pot before adding tea and boiling water. Steep leaves for three to five minutes. If the tea is going to be used for cooking, make it stronger than you would for drinking.

Green Tea Pepper Sauce

This sauce can be used as a dip or as a marinade or spread for breads and sandwiches. It will keep for about five days in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

1 cup roasted red bell pepper
1/2 cup brewed green tea
2 Tbs. sun-dried tomatoes
2 Tbs. rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbs. olive or canola oil
1/2 Tbs. white pepper

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. To use with fish, marinate before cooking. For grilling, just brush on meat while cooking.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 Tbs. loose green tea (leaves from a tea bag can be used)
1/2 Tbs. fresh ginger
1 Tbs. garlic
2 Tbs. rice vinegar
1 Tbs. fish sauce
1 lb. shrimp or tofu

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients but shrimp and mix well. Add shrimp and let sit overnight if possible. If not, marinate for 30 minutes. Afterward, grill on a hot griddle for three to five minutes.

Fast Facts

• Green tea is an easy-to-use ingredient that can make meals both flavorful and nutritious.

• It has more vitamin C than an orange and helps prevent heart disease.

• It also helps the body fight cancer, and recent research has shown it can help with weight loss.

• It takes four cups of green tea a day to benefit from its healthful properties.