Okinawan Sweet Bread

Prepared and photographed by NutraMilk nutritionist, Florencia Tagliavini.

Recipe from The Blue Zone´s Kitchen cookbook.

From the blue zone of Okinawa, Japan, this sugar cake, called Agarasa, is a famous local specialty that can be enjoyed as a dessert, as a snack, or with morning coffee or tea. Steaming the bread produces a spongy, angel food cake-like texture. We like to top this with a nut butter to add some nourishing nutrients such as plant-protein, heart-healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals to complete this meal whether it´s for breakfast or snack. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

For sweet bread

• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup hot water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2/3 cup plant-based milk made with the NutraMilk (I used a mixed nut milk I had previously made- recipe below)

For mixed nut milk

• 1/2 cup cashews (we love Sunfood´s brand)
• 1/3 cup macadamia we love Sunfood´s brand)
• ¼ cup brazil nuts (we love Sunfood´s brand)

Toppings

• Your favorite nut butter made with the NutraMilk (I used peanut butter and chocolate macadamia but butter)
• Fruit of choice (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

For cashew, macadamia and Brazil nut milk

• Start by making nutmilk with the NutraMilk:
  • Place cashews, macadamia nuts and brazil nuts in the NutraMilk container.
  • Press Butter cycle, set for 3 minutes.
  • Press Start.
  • Open the container lid, add water and replace lid.
  • Press Mix (do not change the default Mix time).
  • Press Start.
  • Press Dispense.
  • Press Start and open spigot to fill your storage container.

• In a large bowl, mix brown sugar and hot water until sugar dissolves.
• Add flour, baking powder, and soy milk to the dissolved brown sugar. Mix until you get a crumbly texture.
• Spoon the dough into a loaf pan, cupcake tin or ramekins.
• Steam for about 15 minutes in a steamer basket, or until toothpick comes out clean.