Thursday, July 27, 2006

Spiced Coffee Recipe from Southern Living Magazine

Spiced After-Dinner Coffee
Thanks to Shannon for this delicious sounding brew...

8 cups brewed dark roast coffee
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons whole cloves (about 38)
5 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
2/3 cup amaretto liqueur
Whipped cream
Orange rind strips

Heat coffee and next 3 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat 10
minutes. (Do not boil.) Stir in amaretto. Pour into mugs; serve with
whipped cream and orange rind strips. Place a strip of orange rind on
rim of each cup, if desired.

Bizarre Coffee Fact of the Day: Cure for Scurvy?

Advertisements for coffee in London in 1657 claimed that the
beverage was a cure for scurvy, gout and other ills.

Thanks to Jeannie V. for this funny coffee fact!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Tips: Coffee Grounds to Remove Odors

You read correctly - another use for those old coffee grounds is to remove nasty onion and garlic odors from your hands. After you're done chopping garlic and/or onions, just use the old coffee grounds as a 'hand scrub' and then rinse with cool water. Voila! No more stinky hands!

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Coffee Fluff Shake - Great Coffee Shake for Summer

Coffee Fluff® Shake

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beverages Blender
Marshmallow Fluff® Shakes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup chilled milk
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (1 to 2 teaspoons)
2 large spoonfuls Marshmallow Fluff®

Into blender container put chilled milk, instant coffee granules and Marshmallow Fluff®. Blend 30 seconds or until all ingredients are mixed and smooth.

Source:
"Marshmallow Fluff®"
S(Internet address):
"http://www.marshmallowfluff.com"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 274 Calories; 8g Fat (26.7% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 42g Carbohydrate; 0g Dietary Fiber; 33mg Cholesterol; 140mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1 Non-Fat Milk; 1 1/2 Fat; 2 Other Carbohydrates.

Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub

3 T Coffee grounds (organic-caffeinated)

1 T Salt (optional)

To Make: Brew a fresh pot of coffee. Enjoy a cup, if you like. Put grounds (and salt) in a small bowl. Use grounds within 20 minutes of brewing before oxidation occurs.

To Use: Scrub mixture over entire body while in the shower. Rinse. Tone. Moisturize.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

A Cool Coffee Creation: Iced Almond Coffee

Found this at cocoajava.com - a fabulous Iced Almond Coffee Recipe that sounds just about perfect on a steamy hot summer day like today.

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Coffee Icing

Coffee Lover, Shannon gets the credit for this delightful Coffee Creation. :) Now THIS is what I call a REAL coffee cake - even the icing gets a healthy dose of our favorite brew...

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Coffee Icing
Dazzle your guests with this "show stopper" coffee cake. Rich enough
for dessert, it makes an ideal brunch cake.
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups plain yogurt
chopped walnuts (to garnish)
raisins (to garnish)
Coffee Icing
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
1 tablespoon hot water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sifted icing sugar, plus
2 tablespoons sifted icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon orange juice
1 pinch salt

Combine brown sugar, raisins,walnuts,cocoa, cinnamon and instant
coffee in a bowl.
Set aside.
Cream butter in a large bowl and gradually beat in sugar until
mixture is light and fluffy.
Stir in vanilla.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift flour, baking powder, soda and salt together twice.
Stir flour mixture, 1/3 cup at a time,into butter mixture,
alternating with the yogurt.
Beat until just well mixed.
Do not overmix.
(batter will be thick) Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan or bundt
pan.
Spoon in one fourth of the batter.
Sprinkle with one third of the raisin-walnut mixture.
Repeat layering twice, ending with batter.
Bake 1 hour at 350*F.
Cool on rack.
Unmold coffee cake and set on serving plate.
Frost sides and top with Coffee Icing.
Sprinkle with raisins and walnuts and chill until ready to serve.
For Icing, mix coffee with water until completely dissolved.
Cool.
Cream butter and cream cheese until light.
Gradually beat in sugar.
Beat in vanilla, orange juice,salt and coffee mixture.
Whip until double in volume, about 4 minutes.

Crazy New Coke Product: Coca Cola with Coffee Added

Yes, you read correctly, Coca Cola has come up with a new product that combines the old fashioned favorite Coke with - gasp! - coffee! Read on, caffeine nuts:

The new drink, a combination of Coca-Cola Classic and coffee extracts, will be first launched in France in January before being rolled out in the United States and other markets during 2006.

A Coke spokesperson said Coca-Cola Blak will be a mid-calorie drink, similar to Coca-Cola C2, which was launched in April 2004 and contains half the sugar, calories and carbohydrates of regular colas. The formula for the new beverage is expected to vary based on local tastes.

Analysts have said one of the keys to the company’s future is capturing more consumers who have moved away from sugary soft drinks to diet versions, or to healthier low- or no-calorie beverages.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Frozen Tiramisu Squares - Great Summertime Dessert

Frozen Tiramisu Squares
serves 14

1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee (dry)
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup frozen (thawed) orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee (dry)
1 tablespoon hot water
1/4 cup chocolate-flavored syrup
1 1/2 cups whipping (heavy) cream
Baking cocoa, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix Bisquick mix, sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 tablespoon coffee and the butter until crumbly. Crumble mixture lightly into pan. Bake 6 minutes; cool.

2. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in milk. Place about 2 cups of the cream cheese mixture in separate bowl. Add juice concentrate to cream cheese mixture in one bowl. Dissolve 1 teaspoon coffee in hot water; stir coffee mixture and chocolate syrup into cream cheese mixture in other bowl.

3. In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream on high speed until stiff. Fold half of the whipped cream into each cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate chocolate mixture. Spoon orange mixture over crust.

4. Freeze crust with orange mixture about 1 hour or until firm. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over orange mixture. Freeze about 4 hours or until firm. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. For squares, cut into 5 rows by 3 rows. Sprinkle each serving with cocoa. Store covered in freezer.

Source: Bisquick.com

For more recipes, visit: Kitchen Crafts 'n' More

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Cafe Speciale - Gourmet Coffee Recipes

Cafe Speciale

Serves 4

Ingredients:
4 teaspoons chocolate syrup
¼ tspn nutmeg
½ cup heavy cream 1 tblspn sugar
¾ tspn cinnamon
1-½ cups extra-strength hot coffee

Put 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup into each of 4 small cups. Combine
cream, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Whip. Stir remaining ½
teaspoon cinnamon into hot coffee. Pour coffee into cups. Stir to blend
with syrup. Top with whipped cream.

Friday, July 14, 2006

How About a Coffee Bean Plant?

And HERE is a houseplant with that java jolt we coffeeaholics really crave. :) A coffee bean plant! Comes already grown to 4 feet tall - get a few, and impress your friends with your groovy plant that actually grows coffee beans. :) I have one friend who had a HUGE coffee plant in her apartment and the leaves gave off a lovely, slightly coffee-ish scent. Delish!

Coffee Bean Tin Candles - $6 + FREE Shipping

Coffee lovers, you'll love THIS particular candle - it's an adorable Parisian style tin, filled with wax coffee beans. Adorable! This would be a perfect little gift for a friend...or a great addition to a coffee gift basket. Plus at only $6 and FREE Shipping, it's a great bargain too.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

On the Side: Chocolate Mint Brownies

This decadent recipe was sent in by Cariad -- I think it sounds like the perfect accompaniement to a really rich cup of coffee. :) Enjoy, and post a comment if you try the recipe & love it.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups chocolate syrup
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp mint extract (or more to taste)
6 Tbsp butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease one 13x9 inch baking dish.

In a large mixer bowl cream together white sugar, 1/2 cup butter, eggs and chocolate syrup. Add flour and salt. Beat until smooth.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely in pan then spread with Mint Cream. Chill, then pour Chocolate Topping over chilled brownies. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

To Make Mint Cream: In a small mixer bowl combine the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and mint extract. Beat until smooth.

To Make Chocolate Topping: In a small saucepan over very low heat or double boiler melt the butter and the chocolate chips. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Let cool slightly before spreading over brownies.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Southern Living Coffee Recipe: Turkish Coffee

This came from Southern Living.

Turkish-Style Coffee
Thanks to Shannon for this recipe.

This strong-flavored coffee gets a fragrant lift from cardamom.

3/4 cup ground dark roast coffee
1 tablespoon ground cardamom
8 cups water
3/4 cup sugar

Combine coffee and cardamom in a coffee filter; brew with 8 cups water in a coffeemaker. Stir in sugar; serve immediately.

Healthy Coffee Pannacotta - Low Fat Dessert Recipes

Low Fat Coffee Pannacotta
A treat for those of you watching your weight this summer!

1 container (32 oz.) plain nonfat yogurt
2 env. KNOX Unflavored Gelatine
2 Tbsp. MAXWELL HOUSE Naturally Decaffeinated Instant Coffee
3/4 cup SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, Granular
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping
2 Tbsp. chopped PLANTERS Almonds

MIX yogurt, gelatine, coffee granules and SPLENDA® Granular in medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 2-1/2 min. or until gelatine is completely dissolved, stirring after 1-1/2 min. Stir in almond extract. POUR into 9-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. UNMOLD dessert onto serving plate. Top with the whipped topping and almonds just before serving. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator. Variation To serve as individual desserts, prepare as directed dividing the gelatine mixture evenly among eight 4-oz. custard cups or serving glasses before chilling. Top evenly with the whipped topping and almonds just before serving. Substitute Prepare as directed, using MAXWELL HOUSE Instant Coffee.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Bars and Squares Recipes GALORE - Dozens

What goes perfectly with that fragrant, rich cup of freshly brewed coffee? A tantalizing treat, of course! Here is a link to dozens of bars and squares recipes that you'll love to pair with your cup of coffee.

http://www.kitchencraftsnmore.net/recipe050.html

Banana Split Shakes - A Great Milkshake for Summer

http://www.kitchencraftsnmore.net/bananasplitshakes.html - is the recipe of the day! :) To make it a Mocha Banana Split Shake, simply replace half of the milk with cold coffee. Or, use coffee ice cream instead of the vanilla suggested. YUM! :)

Monday, July 03, 2006

You Need a Cute Coffee Mug: My Favorite Coffee Mugs

One of my favorite personal coffee mugs is a bagel mug, but I've managed to find a number of really cool new coffee mugs for coffee creation blog lovers. Check them out:

For COLORFUL Personalities: Santa Fe Coffee Mugs
Set of 4 - $23.99
Just because you LOVE a splash of spicy color - LOVE these ones! (Think I'll add them to my own wish list...)



For the CLASSY: Pormeirion Latte Mugs
Set of 6
Not for the cheapos among us...a truly elegant way to sip on your latte.



For TRENDSETTERS:Bodum's Stainless Steel Lipstick Travel Coffee Mug




For Traditionalists: Churchill China Chelsea Blue Coffee Mugs
Set of 4




For Neat Freaks: Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs -
Set of 4 - Stackable

Ice Cream Parlour Mocha Sodas

Something different - an old-fashioned soda with delicious mocha flavors.

Thanks Shannon for another great coffee recipe!

Ice Cream Parlor Mocha Sodas
Serves 4

Ingredients:
½ cup hot water
4 scoops chocolate ice cream
8 tspns finely ground coffee
1 quart club soda
2 cups milk
sweetened whipped cream

Place hot water in a medium sized pitcher. Stir in coffee. Finely grind into a powder texture, until dissolved. Stir in milk. Place one scoop of ice cream into each of 4 ice cream soda glasses. Pour coffee/milk mixture equally into each glass. Fill glasses almost to brim with club soda. Top with sweetened whipping cream.