Matcha Mood Risotto
Matcha Mood Risotto
Matcha Morning Mood Risotto features arborio rice slowly cooked in a subtly sweet, vibrant green broth of light coconut milk and ceremonial-grade matcha. Sweetened with a touch of agave and topped with crunchy candied pistachios, tart goji berries, and a single, caramelized seared fig. it’s a stunning harmony of textures and flavors. This recipe proves that risotto is not just for dinner, but a perfect canvas for a luxurious and wholesome vegan breakfast. This dish reimagines classic comfort food with a bold, plant-based twist .
GETTING READY FOR COOKING
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 4 Dietary Info: Vegan, Dairy-free
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
✔ Unexpectedly Elegant – A truly impressive and beautiful dish for a special morning.
✔ Calm Energy Boost – The matcha provides a smooth, focused energy without the jitters.
✔ Creamy Without Dairy – The magic of arborio rice creates a luscious, creamy texture naturally.
✔ A Symphony of Textures – Enjoy the creamy rice, crunchy nuts, chewy berries, and soft fig in every bite.
This Recipe is Ideal for
✔ A romantic weekend breakfast or brunch
✔ A mindful, ceremonial start to the day
✔ Impressing guests with a unique vegan dish.
Dietary Adaptations
✔ Naturally plant-based, and dairy-free
✔ Nut-free: Omit the pistachios and use toasted sunflower seeds for crunch.
✔ Lower-sugar option: Reduce or omit the agave in the risotto and skip the candied nuts.
More Key Details
The key to a perfect sweet risotto is the same as a savory one: toast your rice. Sautéing the arborio rice in coconut oil before adding the liquid is a non-negotiable step; it seals the starch granules, ensuring a creamy rather than gummy texture. Use a high-quality, vibrant matcha for the best color and flavor, as this is the star of the dish. The final stir of cold vegan butter is the chef’s secret to a glossy, restaurant-quality finish..
Let`s start with the process
1. Prepare the Toppings & Matcha
- In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the pistachios and maple syrup. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the syrup bubbles and coats the nuts. Transfer immediately to a piece of parchment paper, spread out, and let cool. They will harden as they cool.
- In a small bowl, cover the goji berries with hot water to plump them up. Set aside for 10 minutes, then drain.
- In a saucepan, gently whisk together the light coconut milk, water, and matcha powder until no lumps remain. Heat over low heat until warm, but not boiling. Keep this “matcha broth” warm on the stove.
2. Sear the figs
- Heat a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coconut oil. Once hot, place the fig halves cut-side down. Sear for 2-3 minutes without moving, until deeply caramelized and tender. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Toast and Rice
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven), melt the 1 tbsp of coconut oil over medium heat. Add the arborio rice and toast, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the grains are fragrant and look translucent around the edges.
4. Cook the Risotto
- Pour in the 1/4 cup water. Stir continuously until the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Begin adding the warm matcha broth, one ladleful (about ½ cup) at a time. Stir continuously and allow the liquid to be almost fully absorbed by the rice before adding the next ladleful.
- This process should take about 20-25 minutes. The rice should be tender but still have a slight bite (al dente), and the mixture should be creamy.
5. Finish the Risotto
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the agave syrup, vanilla extract, and the cold cubed vegan butter. Stir vigorously until the butter is melted and emulsified, creating a glossy, creamy sauce. Season with a tiny pinch of salt to taste.
6. Assamble & Serve
- Divide the warm matcha risotto immediately between four bowls.
- Top each serving with the candied pistachios, drained goji berries, and two seared fig halves.
- Enjoy immediately.
Ingredients
For the Matcha Broth:
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1 (13.5 oz) can light coconut milk
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1 ½ cups water
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2-3 tsp high-quality culinary-grade matcha powder
For the Risotto:
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
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1 cup arborio rice
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¼ cup water
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2-3 tbsp agave syrup, or to taste
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tbsp cold vegan butter, cubed
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Tiny pinch of salt
For the Toppings:
- 4 fresh figs, halved
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1 tsp coconut oil, for searing
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½ cup shelled, raw pistachios
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1 ½ tbsp maple syrup
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¼ cup goji berries









