I will let you on to a secret. While the rest of Europe is still excited about the arrival of its first sun-kissed strawberries, we are nearing the end of strawberry season here (I’m sooooo sad about this!) as we are a bit ahead weather-wise. We’ve been enjoying them straight from the punnet, in our breakfast and in desserts for about a month now and so it’s high time to introduce my latest strawberry-packed dessert – vegan matcha strawberry tart.
If you cannot get hold of strawberries or simply don’t like them, this tart would work just as well with raspberries! In fact, this would be my berry of choice if I had them at my disposal. Raspberries and matcha are a tried and tested and simply divine combination! Unfortunately for me, Greek islands don’t do berries (other than straws) and it’s something I sorely miss. Eating raspberries, blackberries and wild blueberries (tiny little gems that stain your teeth and fingers deep purple) straight from a bush are one of my fondest childhood food memories. As are my grandma’s wild blueberry pierogi with vanilla sauce! Damn, I’d better stop that trip down the memory lane as I’m almost welling up here 😉 . This tart makes for an impressive dessert, yet it’s dead easy to make. The base is a bit like handling play dough 😉 , something I also loved to do as I kid. The two layers are very simple too and you can make them even simpler by using sliced raw strawberries instead of a strawberry jelly layer. Your call! Whatever you do, ensure that you have plenty of matcha-loving mouths around you as otherwise you may find yourself polishing the whole tart off by yourself. I don’t know why that is but even once you put it away, it will keep on calling you for seconds…and thirds…and… 😉 Perhaps I need a padlock on my fridge, ha ha.
1½ cups pureed strawberries (about 350-400 g / 12-14 oz fresh strawberries) 3 tsp agar flakes (approx. 1 tsp agar powder)
MATCHA LAYER
110 g / ¾ cup raw cashews, soaked overnight 360 ml / 1½ cups coconut cream (separated from full-fat coconut milk) 3 tsp matcha powder 4-5 tbsp maple syrup, adjust to taste 2¼ tsp agar flakes OR ¾ tsp agar powder
DECORATION (optional)
edible flowers coconut shavings fresh strawberries
STRAWBERRY LAYER MATCHA LAYER
