Coffee Spices ... Something to Try !

 Coffee starts my day. Every day. There is a limit, though, on my coffee intake. I'm a one cuppa girl. Anymore and I begin having shakes and jiggles. My nerves can't handle too much of a caffeine jolt. So, one cup and into the suds to clean the mug for tomorrow !

Homemade Kahlua ...

This is such an easy and fun gift to give at holiday time! I've made it a few times over the years because it lasts for a good while ... unless you are a lover of coffee and Kahlua with whipped cream or Black and White Russians! We go for only an occasional souped up coffee as a post dinner dessert drink. Black Russians lost their allure for me after one particular night of severe overindulgence. Hence, I use Kahlua in a few dessert and ice cream recipes. A bottle of this stuff lasts a long time in our house, but when you need a special zing ... it does the trick!

Good Christmas Reads ... and Chai!

It's the second day of Christmas and my true loves gave to me ... books! Hurray!

While others may be out in the stores taking advantage of the sales, I am cozied up by the fire waiting for the blizzard that is bearing down on New England and reading a new book that was given to me by my pastor. She knows my taste! I am enthralled by this book. Laura Schenone has written an interesting and touching historical survey of American women's roles in putting food on their families' and friends' tables. She offers well-researched chapters on Native American food practices, early Colonial housewives' cooking challenges and innovations, the role of the African slaves in providing food for their families and their masters' tables, and onward right up to modern times. Mixed in with the history are first-hand accounts of how foods were prepared, recipes from some of the first published cook books, incredible old photographs and artwork that show women working in their kitchens and gardens, entertaining in their homes, working in the church kitchens and at bake sales, running restaurants and cafes, farming their food ... and on and on. This is an incredible book!

Summertime Bellini Cocktail

I fell in love with Italian cooking long ago. Along with a passion for pasta, I have discovered these lovely, refreshing summertime dessert, 'by the pool', or brunch cocktails. Take your pick where you'd serve them. I think they are so light and refreshing that they go well in varied situations.

When I sipped them by the pool, I would pour them over crushed ice to make the drink last longer ... do what you will with them! I also play fast and loose with the 'peach scnapps' ... I like apricot brandy instead, a smaller amount of lemon juice, and a bigger dash of peach nectar ... all combined just before pouring in the Prosecco. Mmmmmm! I get excited for this special treat just thinking about it!

Saving the Snowman ...

When we woke up this morning, we found another layer of fluffy snow coating everything outside and fat puffy flakes still flurrying down. Poor snowman had gone through the January thaw of last week and needed a little help, so this snow was his salvation! After putting the poor guy back together and dressing him up a bit, I came in ready for some hot chocolate. We had a bunch of chocolate left from Christmas stockings and birthday cake baking, so I decided to try to make the hot chocolate that Silent Bob and I had when we visited Barcelona - I must say it came out really well!

The Spanish version of  hot chocolate is just one notch below a chocolate pudding in a cup. It's dark and smooth, and so rich that it's served in small demitasse cups. Really! With a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top, it is one powerful sweet treat! I don't know how the cafe in Barcelona made their chocolate, but this recipe is as close as I can get. Please try it and enjoy the chocolate goodness!