Sunday, November 26, 2006

Coffee Recipes - Sassy Coffee Sodas with Rum

Sassy Coffee Sodas
A gorgeous coffee creation, rich with coffee ice cream, ground coffee, rum and a sprinkling of coffee powder on top - just to ensure your daily requirement of caffeine! :) Enjoy.
1 pint coffee ice cream
2 tablespoons finely ground coffee
1/2 cup light rum
4 to 6 scoops vanilla ice cream
Instant coffee powder
Spoon coffee ice cream into blender container. Add rum and coffee that has been finely ground to a powdery texture. Blend on high speed until creamy smooth. Pour into tall glasses, adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each glass. Sprinkle lightly with instant coffee powder. Serve with long-handled spoons and soda straws. Serves 4-6.

Source: all4coffee.com - Recipe Page

Coffee Cupcakes Recipe - Vietnamese Coffee Cupcakes by Chockylit

Yum - had to share this link to a cupcake blog by Chockylit. Delicious, rich Vietnamese Chocolate Cupcakes with a deep coffee flavor. :) If you're a cupcake fan like I am, then take a look through this gorgeous blog to see what new cupcake creation Chockylit has come up with!
http://chockylit.blogspot.com/2006/05/vietnamese-coffee-cupcakes.html

Coffee Crafts - Make a Coffee Bean Candle

Here's another fun coffee craft project to try -- a Coffee Bean Candle project, posted over at CraftBits.com. Enjoy! This would make a fantastic gift for a coffee lover, too.

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1163

Coffee Crafts - Use a Coffee Filter to Make a Rainbow Fish (Kids Crafts)

I got a burst of inspiration this morning to do a search for coffee crafts to post here on the Coffee Creations blog, and this was the first one that caught my eye - a cute craft to make with your kids or grandkids! Easy to do, fun, and only uses very simple and common stuff you already have around the house.

http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/rainbowfish/coffeefilter.htm

Do YOU have an interesting use for coffee filters, coffee beans, or used coffee grounds? Please email it to me at christina@happyslob.com and I'll post it here on the coffee blog!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Coffee Recipes - Coffee Grog Recipe

It may not sound appetizing - grog, grog, grog - but this recipe for Coffee Grog is out of this world when it comes to taste! And besides, it's just fun to say GROG.


3 cups coffee
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbs butter, softened
1/4 tsp cloves, ground
1/4 tsp nutmeg, ground
1/4 tsp cinnamon, ground
Peel of 1 orange
Peel of 1 lemon
PREPARATION:
Break fruit peels into 6 pieces, each. Place one piece of each into cups. Blend butter, sugar, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix coffee and cream together with the spice mixture. Serve into 6 cups.

Source: About.com Coffee & Tea

You Need Fresh Coffee Beans for Great Tasting Coffee

It seems only obvious, but if you're still using that year old can of coffee you got on a great sale from Costco...well, I'll bet you can TASTE the difference stale coffee makes. And it's not a pretty picture - and it's not a pretty taste either.

Buy coffee as fresh as you can from a reputable store - coffee shops are often a great place to buy your own coffee beans to use at home. And buy in fairly small amounts, so you'll use up your coffee while it's still fresh and yummy. No point in making a great cup of Joe if the beans are as old as your gym socks. :)

Coffee Tips and Hints - How to Store Your Coffee to Keep it Fresh

You've got some great whole bean coffee - but you're just not sure how to store it to keep it fresh and delicious. Easy! Store whole bean coffee in sealed containers in a cool and dry area. This will help keep coffee beans the most delicious and fresh tasting. If you won't be using the beans for a while, storing in sealed freezer-safe baggies are a great way to go, and then freeze them. Make sure they're air tight and well sealed or else you'll have freezer burnt beans - not a coffee lover's delight!

On the other hand, if you have already ground your whole coffee beans, it's best to store leftover fresh coffee grounds in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator. But, remember to only grind as much coffee as you'll need at one time - freshly ground coffee tastes the best BY FAR. And ground coffee begins to lose it's flavor very quickly.