Coffee...

"Coffee, a hug in a cup"- unknown

We all know how I feel about coffee.. 

Fresh ground and fresh brewed coffee is in my top five favorite smells ever, right up there with babies and fresh cut grass after a summer shower. Coffee also makes everything a little better. 

I have been using a French press since Christmas, a little red bodum that I picked up for a song after Boxing Day. This has made my coffee drinking experience even better. It is extra hot, extra strong and just the right amount of old fashioned. 

The French press was said to be invented in France, who woulda guessed, but first was patented by an Italian man in the 1920's. Popular world wide, they have many different names but all have the same basic principles that make it so simple and so special. 

This week I suffered a bit of a loss, I was reaching for cinnamon to slap in my coffee and I knocked a bottle of vanilla right into my little red French press. To my dismay I cracked the whole side and it was not salvageable... Le sigh. Don't  worry I found a replacement, French press tips are found below! Enjoy your coffee!

-m

Tips on French pressing...

- grind yourself fresh beans and grind them course or you will get grinds in your coffee..

- scoop 1-2 scoops per cup of h2o and place in the bottom of your press

-heat water just till it starts to boil

- pour over coffee and stir with a wooden or plastic spoon.. Metal will risk a crack !

- allow to sit for at least 4 minutes

-press and enjoy ! 

Give Me Liberty....

"Give me liberty or a bran muffin."-Colin Morchie

Muffins, I possibly made the most tasty, most scrumptious, most decadent muffins last night in all of my history of muffin making. Do I have your attention yet? Picture dense, creamy white batter that bakes up airy and light. Raspberries, sour cream undertones and just a pinch of white chocolate ..... Nom nom nom! I am not kidding, possibly my best yet and I have been baking muffins since I was five years old with my mother! Don't believe me? Bake them up and I promise you will make someone very happy! Pictures and recipe follow!

-m

Best muffins ever!

Five tablespoons of softened butter

Half of a cup of sugar

One egg

Two teaspoons of vanilla

Three-quarters a cup of sour cream

One and a half cups of flour

One and a half teaspoon baking powder

One quarter teaspoon baking soda

One quarter teaspoon salt

One cup fresh/ frozen berries of choice 

One quarter cup white choc chips

In a large bowl or a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Slowly add sour cream and continue to mix. Add dry ingredients a little at a time and mix until just mixed...aka don't over do it ! Gently fold in berries and chips. This will be very thick dough, scoop into lined muffin tin and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Pop on cooling rack and enjoy with a pat of butter!

 

Breakfast Is...

"Breakfast is a notoriously difficult meal to serve with a flourish."- C. Freud

This week I had the pleasure of having two of my nearest and dearest friends pop over for a couple of nights! Boy do I love company, there are few things better than strong coffee and friends at a kitchen table. We had a splendid weekend, catching up on each others lives (a lot can happen when life gets in the way!), drinking wine and adventuring around Halifax. I look forward to the next set of road tripping visitors!

For breakfast on Sunday I whipped up a twist on a classic, coconut french toast. Like I have said before you can't go wrong with french toast and this made it an extra special treat! It is perfect for company, simple as can be and is best served with a little fresh fruit! Recipe follows!

Happy mother's day to all the mums out there, especially mine- you are the best!
-m

Coconut French Toast

In a shallow bowl, combine four large eggs and 3/4 cup of coconut milk (I used lite but I am certain regular would make it even more decadent!). Whisk and add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of coconut extract and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract. Give another little whisk. Slice a loaf of French or Italian bread with each slice around 1/2 inch thick.

Dip each side of the sliced bread in the egg mixture and then dip each side in shredded sweetened coconut (have it spread out on a plate). This should stick well as the eggs are wet.  Cook each slice in a non-stick frying pan or griddle on medium heat. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve with real maple syrup and some fresh fruit on the side (I chose pineapple and raspberries!).  Guaranteed crowd pleaser!